Many politicians, actors and sports stars have experienced an annus horribilis. But when it comes to corporate CEOs, few have ever had as bad a year as Ron Johnson of JCPenney.

It's been about a year since the former Apple retailing executive blew into Penney's headquarters in Dallas believing that he had a secret formula that would do even more than rescue the company from its threatened place in the nation's retailing industry. Eager to start a "retail revolution," Johnson sought to simplify the company's structure and re-program the American consumer's attitude toward store pricing, discounting and promotional tactics.

A year ago today, at a splashy two-day press event in New York, Johnson outlined his vision for transforming the 110-year-old department-store chain over four years through "Fair and Square" pricing as part of a rebranding and repositioning for the company. But it's not working.Continue reading...

China is the second largest economy in the world, every significant brand's future is impacted by its growth (or collapse!); but who's got the time?! A weekly potpourri of ten reads that will make you look like a keen China observer during any conversation about China.

Vivienne Tam Slippers for Hilton, wealth inequality, Walmart, baijiu, Popcap, doggies, translating Spanish brand names, the Lingerie Football League comes to China and more... Continue reading...

Whether it’s a trashy beach read, the adventures of Nancy Drew, or the classic board game Clue, one thing is certain: we can never pass up a good mystery.

H&M, a pioneer in smart designer collaboration, is capitalizing on fashionistas' innate curiosity with a series of cryptic videos. On the eve of New York's fashion week, the  Swedish fashion giant has released a new viral video campaign for an upcoming designer collaboration.

The videos, featuring strategically taped interviews with anonymous designers, were posted by the global fashion retailer on its YouTube channel this week. These sexy, 23-second teasers show only a designer’s body with his or her face entirely hidden. See the rest, and some educated guesses, after the jump.Continue reading...