Women In Retail: 2018 NRF Review + Video Feature

Last week Remodista attended the NRF (National Retail Federation) Big Show and Expo.  To say we had a blast would be understating it, what’s more is we gleaned critical insights on the direction retail is heading. It was also an incredible way for our founder, Kelly Stickel, to get face time with a few of our Women2Watch!
Women2Watch is a program build to help women take credit for their work. With a focus on thought leadership and rising in up the corporate ladder, in its third year it’s thriving.  ​

When Women Meet Support

Highlighted in a video shot above the showroom floor, Kelly talks to the host of Getting to Global at Javits Center, about how to Remodista has helped put women front and center of retail innovation via the Women2Watch program.  Krissie Millan and Sarah Sheldon from Rebecca Minkoff were asked about the benefits of being part of Remodista’s Women2Watch program and the community around it. See the whole video here:

Millan and Sheldon talk about the importance of being connected to innovators from diverse backgrounds who are united by the goal of raising one another up.  The community offers insights into up and coming players, trends and next waves of technology and strategy that are key to keeping ahead of the curve.  Rebecca Minkoff sees Kelly and the Remodista team as a valuable resource to help them stay ahead of the curve.
They comment that being a part of the Women2Watch program naturally lends itself to opportunities like fun events for finding vendors, and connecting with other ecommerce professionals to build a community.  It’s a very different environment when there aren’t men in the room. Women tend to problem solve differently than men. A woman’s perspective will encourage other women in a realm so usually male-dominated. Joining Women2Watch helps you create the nurturing environment you need to succeed.

Insider Trends Revealed

Krissie and Sarah even shared some upcoming trends they see in retail ecommerce with women. When your brand is known as an innovator, they’re always on the lookout for tech solutions that can propel them forward. They tap into the community to get access to global exposure and a deeper connection to the business problem solvers. It’s clear that retail has been changing over the last decade.  The commerce landscape is like shifting sands, but there are some trends our insiders predict will impact the way you work this year:

• Small and Nimble: They’re seeing a move away from big ecommerce to more niche ways that will reach the customer in innovative ways. Those smaller outreach efforts are a great opportunity for rising women leaders to hop on-board through community connection and thought leadership.
• Branding Matters: Krissie and Sarah have felt the impact of building a brand more than ever. Rebecca Minkoff is built by a female millennial founder. Who you are as a company and how you go to market matters to today’s customer.  Don’t miss an opportunity to let your true colors show, it resonates and translates in dollars.
  
• Women are Impacting Retail:  Women are digging more deeply into typically male dominated and more technical sides of the job.  Their input and perspective better represents the growing power of women in the marketplace.  This is shifting the future of the online commerce space.
  
• Still Mobile: When tackling the consumer landscape around the world it’s important to take into account the prevalence of mobile devices.

More NRF Coverage

 Want more NRF coverage?  We've got that.  Kelly recaps "Retail Ethics in the Age of AI" in her article "One of the Best Panels focused on AI".  See pictures and more coverage of the video feeds taken above the tradeshow floor in Kelly's "Getting Ready for Getting to Global" as well as photo coverage of the Rebecca Minkoff Women2Watch Event!  

What's next?

If you’re interested in learning more about our Women2Watch program (to either sponsor or nominate one) visit our dedicated website.  If you’re interested in learning more about how you can get involved in the HALO, the community of business innovators, don’t hesitate to reach out to  kelly@remodista.com.