The Head of Retail Operations at Yellow by Beximco shares his insights
By MWB Desk
The global upheavals of the past four years have certainly made themselves felt in all sectors, and this includes consumer behaviour. Hadi SA Chowdhury, who is currently serving as the Head of Retail operations at Yellow, a concern of Beximco Group, has a bird’s eye view of some of these big shifts. He recently spoke to MWB about his observations.
You have considerable experience in retail. What kind of evolution in consumer lifestyle have you observed over the past ten years?
Speaking from the perspective of the fashion industry, some significant changes in consumer lifestyle have taken place in the last 10 years. Take fast fashion for example – it has changed the way consumers shop for clothing. With retailers offering trendy, low-priced clothing designed to be worn only a few times before being discarded, this trend has put pressure on traditional fashion retailers. Sustainable clothing options are now something consumers are getting into, keeping the environmental impact in mind. The fashion industry is now offering more customized options, such as made-to-measure clothing and personalized styling services. Yellow, too, offers custom-made suits and shirts for our customers. Social media has become a key factor in the fashion industry, with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest driving trends and influencing purchasing decisions. Engaging with consumers is now easier because of social media with more scope to promote products, and to build brand awareness.
Overall, the fashion industry has experienced significant changes in the last decade due to technological advancements, changing consumer values, and social media’s increasing influence. As sustainability and personalization continue to shape the industry, we can expect even more changes in the future.
In recent years, the pandemic has caused a change in the way people shop. To what extent do you feel that our e-commerce platforms have been successful in adapting to the new normal?
Many consumers have turned to e-commerce (post-pandemic) to fulfill their shopping needs. In response, e-commerce has adapted to the changing consumer behavior in several ways. E-commerce companies have implemented contactless delivery options to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. The companies have invested in customer service technology to ensure that customers have access to support and assistance when shopping online. Companies have also implemented new health and safety protocols to protect their employees and customers during the pandemic. With reality and virtual try-on tools, customers are allowed access to see how products will look before making a purchase. Overall, e-commerce has adapted to the changing consumer behavior brought about by the pandemic by prioritizing safety, convenience, and innovation. As the pandemic continues to impact the way people shop, we can expect e-commerce to continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of consumers. I would like to request you all to visit www.yellowclothing.net and experience a smooth online shopping experience with nationwide free delivery.
What is your strategy for taking difficult decisions?
Making difficult decisions in the retail industry can be challenging, especially when it comes to issues that can have a significant impact on the business. I rely on a number of strategies that help me make difficult decisions. It’s important to consider the long-term impact on your business while making a decision; how the decision will affect our brand, reputation, and financial performance over time.
Sometimes, difficult decisions require taking risks. However, it’s important to take calculated risks by weighing the potential benefits against the potential risks and consequences.
Once I have made a decision, I communicate it effectively to my employees and customers (where it counts). It’s crucial to be transparent about the reasons behind the decision and how it will affect them. This helps build trust and confidence in my leadership.
Overall, making difficult decisions in the retail industry requires careful planning, analysis, and consideration of all options.
What is the best advice you ever received?
As a retail operations head, the best advice I have received is that I have to prioritize the needs and desires of my customers and understand what motivates them to make purchases, what their pain points are, and what they value in a shopping experience, and use this information to focus on building strong relationships with my customers through excellent customer service and a personalized shopping experience.
