Bob Amster
Principal, Retail Technology GroupMr. Amster has served the retail and distribution industries as both a Consultant and Systems Manager since 1971. He currently heads The Retail Technology Group, an independent consulting firm.
Bob was a Senior Manager with the Northeast Retail Consulting Group of Ernst & Young. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Amster held Systems Management positions for large retailers such as Kmart Apparel, Waldenbooks, and Caldor. In addition, he has consulted to retail, distribution, and software companies since 1985.
Bob’s hands-on experience encompasses strategic planning; operational reviews; and systems design and implementation. He specializes in needs assessments; software analyses, selection and implementation; operational procedures and process improvement; and systems integration. His project experience includes numerous engagements in the evaluation, selection and implementation of merchandising, financial, warehouse and store systems packages.
Additionally, Bob has served as interim head of IT for Barneys New York and Shane Company, and as interim head of the Store Systems Group for Savers, Inc.
Bob also has provided due diligence assistance to a number of private equity firms and has served the advisory board of retailers and of a number of e-commerce merchants, to whom he provided retail industry perspective.
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- Posted on: 03/25/2020
Are retailers and landlords destined to head to court over rents?
Landlords need to come to the realization that rents have been too high in light of the questionable retail climate as evidenced by the number of bankruptcies and continuing store closures. My philosophy on this is very simple. Some percentage of the whole is better than 100 percent of nothing. Landlords, learn to negotiate; it will be cheaper than the lawyers' fees, and you cannot collect rent on empty space. - Posted on: 03/24/2020
Retailers are going to curbside and delivery. Will they stay that way?
In some cases, curbside pickup was forced on retailers by the circumstances. Now that they are practicing it under duress, they will find that they can streamline the process and keep the practice to their advantage and to the delight of their customers. For those drivers that have difficulty backing out of parking spaces, there will be free, remedial driving lessons. - Posted on: 03/24/2020
The coronavirus will accelerate retail’s ‘collapse of the middle’
One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is that those retail businesses that were marginally surviving will not withstand the reduction in overall business, whether foot traffic or e-commerce. While e-commerce may show a slight uptick, the loss of the brick-and-mortar business (the larger portion for most retailers) will be their death knell. - Posted on: 03/23/2020
Which retail businesses are ‘essential’ during the coronavirus outbreak?
Let's infuse a bit of humor into this timely discussion: Liquor and candy stores. OK, throw in gas stations, take-out restaurants, and grocery stores. - Posted on: 03/23/2020
Costco is refusing returns on hoarded items
I echo that sentiment. Besides, since these items were deemed to be so important that they needed to be hoarded they are, almost by definition, consumables that the hoarders are going to continue to need. The hoarders just won't have to shop for those items for longer than most of us. Unlike bananas, these items won't spoil over time. Yes to Costco! - Posted on: 03/20/2020
How can indie restaurants survive the coronavirus?
This is going to be tough on a lot of us. People will hopefully come out and support these restaurants by ordering takeout meals. In many cases restaurants were already doing a takeout business that patrons in the dining areas didn't notice. Time to rally around your local businesses. - Posted on: 03/20/2020
Costco acquisition brings white glove delivery and white good service in-house
The acquisition is a good idea. Costco will exercise more control over a highly-specialized segment of delivery (large items), and reduce its cost in a business with already low margins. Can't lose. - Posted on: 03/18/2020
Michigan AG accuses Menard’s of price gouging
That is a fact! - Posted on: 03/18/2020
Will Lands’ End have a better experience inside of Kohl’s than it did at Sears?
...and I still like receiving it and leafing through it... - Posted on: 03/18/2020
Will raising wages $2 help Amazon keep workers dealing with coronavirus chaos?
As the saying goes: "It can't hurt!" Everyone likes being appreciated, especially in times of stress. The raise, even if temporary, helps financially and emotionally. - Posted on: 03/18/2020
Michigan AG accuses Menard’s of price gouging
It's not nice to take advantage of your customers. They may never come back now... - Posted on: 03/18/2020
Will Lands’ End have a better experience inside of Kohl’s than it did at Sears?
Lands' End AND Kohl's would both have to do a bunch of things wrong for this partnership to have a worse outcome than the Sears deal. We wish Lands' End the best of success. Love the brand! - Posted on: 03/13/2020
Is blockchain the answer to supply chain visibility?
Blockchain is not the only method of communicating granular data along the supply chain. It happens to be more secure and more auditable. If the industry is suffering from a lack of information pass-through, it is because there is insufficient commitment from companies that should be willing participants and, for one reason or another, have not fully committed to be involved. - Posted on: 03/10/2020
Will rival retailers buy Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ technology?
I actually see this offering as a conflict of interest on the part of Amazon. - Posted on: 03/10/2020
Will rival retailers buy Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ technology?
Other retailers would be smart to investigate whether or not there is ANY possibility that Amazon would have access to retailers' and their customers' data. If they find that Amazon does have access, they will want to think twice about implementing the technology.
