Digitally Native Brands Hit The Wall

Despite all the hype, after gobs of venture capital investment, several high profile IPO's and some big moves into physical retail, the OG's of the new wave of DTC are running into trouble. Most of the digitally native brands that were supposed to disrupt the retail industry (think Warby Parker, Stitch Fix, Allbirds, Caspar, and many more) may be growing the top-line--though not even Wayfair and Peloton can say that anymore--but their operating losses continue to grow.

Virtually all of them have seen their market valuations collapse in recent months. And the once promising pivot to opening stores must be called into question, particularly as the entire industry faces growing headwinds.

In this episode we dive deep into just what the heck is going on here and whether the hugely disappointing recent results from Warby Parker suggest a possible reset for the new breed of DTC brands.

But first we open up with the retail news that caught our attention this week, including earnings reports from Target, Walmart, Kohl's and Lowe's that were, to put it mildly, rather disturbing. We also discuss whether it's a great idea for Amazon to buy Kohl's or whether they'd just be catching a falling knife. As an added bonus we also learn that you haven't lived until you've visited a Las Vegas ER in the wee hours of the morning.

And lastly, don't forget that Steve's book has been selected as a Kindle Monthly Deal, which means that through May 31 the ebook version of Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is just $1.99 in both the United States and Canada.

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Insider Intelligence Report

D2C Brands 2022

Steve Recent Forbes Relevant Articles

Store Expansion May Not Be A Slam Dunk For Struggling Digitally Native Brands

Wayfair's Earnings Disaster Portends More Trouble For 'Disruptor' Brands

Past Podcast Episodes We Reference

Understanding Customer-Based Valuation with Dan McCarthy

The Profitless Prosperity of Disruptor Brands

About Us

Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Registration is open for a special webinar featuring Steve in conversation with Placer AI's Head of Analytical Research RJ Hottovy. From changing shopping patterns to emerging market opportunities, shifting consumer demand continues to reshape the industry. So don't miss this data-driven session unpacking the most important trends defining today’s marketplace and the strategies leading brands are using to win retail's future. It's all brought to you by Placer.AI and It all happens on Tuesday September 29 at 1pm ET..

Register here today:

https://www.placer.ai/discover-events/discover-shifting-consumer-demand

About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.