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  • JDA FocusThe Parker Avery Group to Sponsor JDA's Annual Global Conference: FOCUS 2013
    The Parker Avery Group is pleased to announce it will sponsor JDA's FOCUS 2103 annual global conference to be held May 5-8 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

    FOCUS 2013 is the place to be for supply chain professionals who want to network, share best practices and hear how industry leaders are achieving supply chain, merchandising and pricing excellence.

    Keynote speakers include: Rudy Giuliani, 107th Mayor of New York City; Ray Kurzweil, one of the world's leading inventors, thinkers and futurists; Hamish Brewer, Chief Executive Officer, JDA Software.

    Sample sessions and presentations:
    • Executing the Omni-Channel Commerce Experience Profitably
    • Disruptions in Retail – How to Shift from a Static to a Dynamic Supply Chain
    • Inventory Optimization for a Global Supply Chain at Amway
    • Are You Truly Optimizing Your DC Labor? Get Back to Basics on Achieving Maximum Productivity in Your Warehouse

    Much work has been done to bring together the market-leading supply chain planning and execution solutions of JDA and RedPrairie. The outcome will be revealed at FOCUS 2013, and this is information you can't afford to miss! [read more]

  • Global Retailing ConferenceThe The Parker Avery Group to Sponsor the 2013 Global Retailing Conference
    The Parker Avery Group is pleased to announce it will Sponsor the 17th annual Global Retailing Conference, held at at the fantastic Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, from April 11 - 12, 2013.

    This year's theme, Accelerate Your Brand – Get Ahead of Your Shopper, will focus on new ways businesses are engaging customers and encouraging advocacy. By using tools such as digital advancements, marketing strategies, and consumer behavior studies, retailing companies have a better understanding on how to communicate with their customers.

    The Terry J. Lundgren Center Global Retailing Conference features an expert lineup of CEOs, Cutting-edge Retail Technologists, Brand Strategists, and Thought Leaders who share winning strategies, retail trends, and a global outlook. editors of Women's Wear Daily (WWD) will assemble the titans of the industry for a two-day summit focusing on leadership. Attended by 250+ apparel and retail presidents and CEOs, the conference is designed to inspire and provoke, offering unique perspectives from those who are successfully realizing their visions in an ever-changing landscape.

    Speakers include: Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President & CEO of Macy's Inc; Tory Burch, CEO & Founder of Tory Burch; Jim Sinegal, Co-Founder & Former CEO of Costco; Tony Spring, President & COO of Bloomingdale's; Bonnie Brooks, President of The Hudson Bay Company; and Wanda Young, VP of Walmart. [read more]
  • WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit The Parker Avery Group to Sponsor the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit
    The Parker Avery Group is pleased to announce it will Sponsor the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit, held at New York City's iconic Plaza Hotel, from January 7 - 8, 2013.

    Attendance at the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit is limited to CEOs and Presidents in the apparel and retail industry. This meeting, peer-to-peer in nature, is designed to offer a forum for industry leaders to access focused business intelligence on the critical issues of the day, gain a sense of future issues and direction, and hear case studies and real solutions from CEOs both inside and outside the industry. It also offers a high-level networking opportunity to exchange ideas and establish creative partnerships.

    The editors of Women's Wear Daily (WWD) will assemble the titans of the industry for a two-day summit focusing on leadership. Attended by 250+ apparel and retail presidents and CEOs, the conference is designed to inspire and provoke, offering unique perspectives from those who are successfully realizing their visions in an ever-changing landscape.

    Among the roster of CEOs set to speak are Ron Johnson of J.C. Penney Co. Inc.; Emanuel Chirico of PVH Corp.; Andrew Rosen of Theory; J. Christopher Burch of C. Wonder, and David Dyer of Chico's FAS Inc.

    There is also a strong lineup of designers, including Marc Jacobs, who will be the dinner speaker Monday night; Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler, and Karl Lagerfeld.
    [read more]
  • Retail Advisor BlogParker Avery Launches New Blog 'Retail Advisor,' Offering Retailing Best Practices
    The Parker Avery Group, an Atlanta based a boutique strategy and management consulting firm, announced the official launch of its blog – Retail Advisor – at blog.parkeravery.com.

    Debuting to coincide with the always critical holiday season, upcoming post topics cover Black Friday Strategies, Cyber Monday Consumer Trends, Mobile Showrooming, Digital Marketing & Promotions and Holiday Pricing Trends & Management.

    Written by the professionals at The Parker Avery Group who have a combination of executive retail experience and consulting expertise in retail, apparel, marketing, merchandising, store operations and product lifecycle management (PLM), this new blog offers retail and apparel brand executives valuable perspectives on the retail industry.

    The Retail Advisor blog is an extension of the quarterly newsletter, of the name, distributed by The Parker Avery Group. The consultancy saw a need in the marketplace for more timely and collaborative updates and strives to provide commentary on the retail industry news, issues and trends that matter most to its clients.

    Retailers and press are invited to visit the Retail Advisor blog weekly or subscribe to the blog's RSS feed. Comments are invited (and moderated). Journalists interested in learning more about the blog or interviewing Retail Advisor contributors can contact Samantha Sorrells at contact@parkeravery.com or at 770.882.2205 [read more]
  • Cross-Channel Retail Executive SummitParker Avery to Co-Sponsor the 6th Annual Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit: Reinventing Shopping
    The Parker Avery Group is excited to announce it will be a Title Sponsor of the 2012 Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit (CCRES), held at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas from October 3 - 5, 2012.

    The CCRES will be filled with sessions and networking opportunities to give full focus on strategic business and technology imperatives critical to retailers as they operate and compete in a global, multi-channel marketplace.

    The Parker Avery Group will be hosting a workshop entitled, "Dynamic Merchandising, Planning, Pricing and Marketing Across Channels" on Friday, October 5th. This session will allow participants to examine the issues, challenges and solutions that comprise a fully integrated cross-channel retail initiative that sets and hits sales and margin goals.

    The Parker Avery Group will also be introducing Melissa Flicek and Keith Tanski of the Target Corporation during the General Session, "Time to Change the Channel: Evolution of a Cross-Channel Retailer" on Thursday, October 4th.

    The Social Mobile Convergence Forum will be produced in conjunction with the Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit to ensure maximum value for attendees. [read more]
  • RIS Retail Technology ConferenceThe Parker Avery Group to Present at the 2012 Annual RIS Retail Technology Conference
    The Parker Avery Group, the industry's highest rated boutique strategy and management consulting firm, announced today that the company will be hosting two workshops and participating in a panel discussion at the 6th Annual RIS Retail Technology Conference, held April 11-13, 2012, at the Ritz Carlton, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida.

    The Parker Avery Group is a Title Sponsor of this event, which brings together leading retail executives and industry experts for a series of interactive and collaborative sessions focused on current business and technology issues.

    The Parker Avery Group will be leading and participating in several key sessions -

    • Omni-Channel Inventory Alignment Strategies
    • 20 Tips For Improving Planning & Forecasting Across Channels
    • Integrated Planning, Pricing And Fulfillment In Multi-Channel Retail
                                                                                                                       [read more]
  • Jack Harbaugh Partner at Parker AveryRetail Industry Executive Joins Parker Avery
    The Parker Avery Group, an Atlanta based boutique retail consulting and strategy firm, is pleased to announce that retail industry veteran Jack Harbaugh has joined the firm as a Partner. Harbaugh comes to The Parker Avery Group with over 30 years experience in leadership roles for retail software and professional services companies. His responsibilities will include working with clients, leading consulting teams and building the West Coast office for the firm.

    "Our firm is recognized for the deep domain expertise and high quality work that we bring to clients," said Mike Matacunas, Parker Avery's CEO. "Jack has a proven track record of success in complex transformational projects throughout his career, and we are thrilled to have him join the team and bring his incredible retail experience to Parker Avery."

    Before joining Parker Avery, Harbaugh was at SAP as part of the retail industry team. Prior to that, he was a prominent executive with several successful retail start-up and early stage technology companies including 41st Parameter, Evant and Intrepid Systems where he was a co-founder. Harbaugh has worked with some of the world's leading retailers including Staples, Sears, Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie & Fitch, Overstock.com, Williams-Sonoma, Apple, J. Crew, Barnes & Noble and Discount Tire. [read more]
  • WWD Apparel and Retail CEO SummitThe Parker Avery Group Sponsors Women's Wear Daily Apparel and Retail CEO Summit 2011
    The Parker Avery Group, a boutique retail consulting and strategy firm, is pleased to announce that it was a sponsor of the 15th annual Women's Wear Daily Apparel and Retail CEO Summit, held at the Plaza Hotel in New York on November 14 and 15. The theme this year was "Brand Everywhere." The topics discussed covered issues related to expanding a brand globally and locally, creating a modern luxury brand and revitalizing an old one, realizing the next generation of brand identity, interacting with consumers across multiple platforms and marketing in the digital realm range.

    "This event was a great opportunity for senior retail and apparel executives to discuss the latest trends and challenges. We're in a period of customer relationship changes that requires CEO's to think differently about channels, brand positioning and operating structure. As seasoned retail professionals, we bring a point of view to the discussion and we enjoyed networking with our clients," said Mike Matacunas, CEO of The Parker Avery Group.

    As part of the event, round table discussions, talks and sessions were held with leading retail and apparel CEOs and experts including Tory Burch, Victoria Beckham, President & CEO of Bottega Veneta, President & CMO of Saks Fifth Avenue and CEO of Barneys New York.
    [read more]
  • Business to Business Top EntrepreneurThe Parker Avery Group's Founder and CEO is Recognized by Business to Business Magazine as a 2011 Top Entrepreneur
    Business to Business magazine honored the Top 25 Entrepreneurs and Ones to Watch in Metro Atlanta on November 3, 2011 at a dynamic awards ceremony and dinner held at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center. Winners will also be featured in the November/December issue of Business to Business.

    Each year, Business to Business magazine recognizes the top entrepreneurs of the South. Winners are entrepreneurs who have created innovative, high achieving companies and have contribute to their industries and business communities. A diverse collection of industries are represented, including those from real estate, retail, law and technology.

    "There are several achievements that have defined our success," says company founder and CEO Mike Matacunas. "The first is our 100% client satisfaction metric. We actively measure this and constantly look for feedback from our clients on our strengths and opportunities. The second is our steady top-line growth based on continually delivering for clients like Wal-Mart, Lands' End, Carter's, et al. The third is our collegial culture that reflects in our client work and the respect our team has for each other. The fourth is building a successful consulting firm in a challenging market and a compressed economic climate. These are some of the achievements that define us as a firm." [read more]
  • Retail White PapersThe Parker Avery Group Publishes Papers on Group Buying, Mobile Retail and Retail Product Development
    The Parker Avery Group, an Atlanta-based management consulting and research firm with clients such as Wal-Mart Stores, Lands' End, Toys "R" Us, Cabela's and PetSmart, recently published three papers for retailers wanting to improve or develop in the areas of Group Buying, Mobile Retail and Product Development:

    • A Five Step Roadmap to Getting Started in Group Buying: Tactics for Incorporating Groupon and Living Social into Your Marketing Strategy
    • The Seven Tenets of Mobile Retail: Delivering a Unique and Valuable Mobile Commerce Channel
    • Linking Product Development to the Customer: Crowdsourcing, Collaborative Design and Other Innovative Tactics

    “In addition to strategy, business and implementation services to retailers, we offer our clients thought leadership, research and Points of View on important industry topics and challenges. We believe mobile commerce, group buying and integrating customer insights with product development are important, timely topics,” said company founder and CEO Mike Matacunas [read more]
  • Parker Avery Record GrowthThe Parker Avery Group Posts Record Revenue and Growth in 2010
    The Parker Avery Group, an Atlanta-based professional services firm, announced today that it bested previous year performance by more than 31% while receiving high client satisfaction ratings from clients such as Wal-Mart Stores, PetSmart, Cabela’s, Toys”R”Us and others. In addition, the firm launched a new website and moved offices to a larger Atlanta location.

    “Our on-line retail education business is now well under way and there are numerous indicators of the strength of the business; client relationships, brand awareness and retention rates are at an all-time high. Despite a tough retail environment early in 2010, new clients made up the majority of our revenue and we see this continuing in 2011 as the recovery continues,” said company founder and CEO Mike Matacunas [read more]
  • Retail Consulting Benchmark ReportThe 2010 Professional Services Maturity Model Benchmark Report
    The Parker Avery Group was named one of the best professional services organizations in SPI Research's 2010 Professional Services benchmark report.

    In comparison to 225 other professional services firms across industries, Parker Avery was identified as one of the 'best of the best' based on vision, client value, delivery excellence and overall performance.

    "We are honored to be recognized as an outstanding professional services firm," said Mike Matacunas, CEO of The Parker Avery Group. "We are passionate about professional services and delivering value to our clients [read more]
  • Retail Pricing Research StudyParker Avery Sponsors RSR Research's "Getting Back to Good: Pricing 2010" Study
    RSR Research, an analyst firm providing market intelligence on retail technology trends, announces the results of its latest research report, "Getting Back to Good: Pricing 2010." The research shows retailers continuing to invest in core pricing capabilities, with a broader view of how price optimization fits within the retail enterprise. The data also finds stores and competitors playing less of a role in determining prices, as retailers try to recover from 2009.

    "Getting Back to Good: Pricing 2010" contains analysis of the business drivers, opportunities, and organizational constraints surrounding retail pricing and promotions, as well as recommendations for creating successful pricing capabilities.

    "This is timely and insightful research for retail executives," says Dana Andrews, Associate Partner of The Parker Avery Group. "It substantiates our belief that back to basic pricing processes and capabilities make a difference [read more]
  • Cross-Channel Retail Executive SummitThe Parker Avery Group Sponsors the 2010 Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit
    Retail Info System News (RIS News) hosted the fourth annual Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit held September 15 - 17, 2010 in Scottsdale, Arizona. This invitation-only summit outlined strategic business and technology imperatives critical to retailers as they operate and compete in a multi-channel marketplace.

    Participants enjoyed a wealth of opportunities for effective peer-to-peer networking, exchanged information and ideas, and built lasting business and personal relationships. Mike Matacunas, CEO of The Parker Avery Group, cited that this event was beneficial to the future of retailing because "leading retailers need to become more flexible and responsive to channel trends and timing to maintain customer loyalties and build brand equity. Cross-channel retailing requires retailers to change [read more]
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The Parker Avery Group is a strategy and management consulting firm.  We are a trusted advisor to leading retail and consumer packaged goods companies. We specialize integrating customer insights and multi-channel business models.

Contact The Parker Avery Group at contact@parkeravery.com or at 770.882.2205 with questions or for more information.