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On this episode of Talking Shop, we're joined by Dan Cate, CEO and Founder of SoldThrough. Dan is a heavyweight retail executive who has spent decades steering the merchandising and digital operations of America’s most iconic retail institutions, from Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s to Century 21 and Lord & Taylor. Today, through his platform SoldThrough, Dan helps international fashion brands cross the Atlantic and crack the notoriously brutal U.S. retail landscape. We break down his journey from the shop floor to the C-suite, the operational indicators that prove a brand is truly ready for international expansion, and how to navigate a fragmented American market without destroying your margins. We also discuss how to balance localised inventory with central efficiency, and the one non-negotiable metric that tells you a product has found genuine market fit.

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The O2, London’s multi-purpose venue, has reported like-for-like sales across outlet shopping up 44%, F&B sales up 26% and total footfall up 20% compared to Q1 2019.

Easter half term also proved highly successful across the full destination, with like-for-like sales up 56% and footfall up 11% vs 2019.

Outlet shopping in particular experienced a strong Easter half term compared to the same period in 2019, with an uplift of 63% in like-for-like sales, especially confectionery and beauty, which saw an impressive increase of 92% and 79% respectively. 

These bumper results coincide with the openings of JD Wetherspoon’s The Stargazer, a debut London location for iFLY, the indoor skydiving experience, and the Farewell Elton at The O2 store from 2-17 April, where fans could shop a full range of tour merchandise for Elton John.

With a lot of new openings across retail, leisure, and F&B, as well as a strong run of events at The O2 arena, the venue’s ongoing positive trajectory for 2023 is set to continue, with the destination on track to experience one of its most successful years to date.

These results coincide with The O2’s continual development across the scheme, with recent debut announcements including next month’s opening of Āatma Aesthetics, the aesthetic skin clinic. Additionally, the destination has also welcomed the arrival of WHSmith, the leading British retailer, to its portfolio. 

Janine Constantin-Russell, managing director of the entertainment district and Icon Outlet at The O2, said: “We are thrilled to have experienced yet another standout trading period across Easter half term this year, finishing off a solid Q1 across the destination. 

“It really does show that The O2 remains the go-to destination for a broad cross-section of visitors, delivering an unparalleled day-to-night offer, rich in retail, plentiful in leisure and abundant in F&B – not to mention the global superstars we had gracing the stage in the arena.” 

She added: “We consistently work hard to grow, evolve and diversify our tenant mix across the full destination, delivering unique experiences which generate positive customer sentiment and successful brand results. We very much look forward to continuing this momentum throughout Q2 and the rest of the year.”

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