Catalogues are Back (or maybe never left?) Arnie Cohen, CEO of J. Peterman and former CEO of J. Crew weighs in

Arnie Cohen, CEO of J. Peterman, was welcomed to discuss the transformation of the company's operations and the resurgence of catalog marketing. Cohen spoke about his time at J. Crew and how the experiences and mentorship he received there helped shape his career and influence his leadership and mentoring roles today. He highlighted the significance of catalogs in the current retail environment, citing their essential role in the brand and product messaging. He believes in the 360-ecosystem, where brands need to dynamically impart their messages and offerings to customers as they like and prefer. The discussion also shed light on the constant evolution in the consumer-retail relationship, emphasizing the resurgence of catalogs as an essential medium for brands to impart their brand messages and product offerings. Even in an age dominated by digital media, catalogs have maintained their significance, offering a tactile experience to consumers and serving as reliable, tangible reminders of a brand's offerings.

The conversation transitioned to more operational aspects, with Cohen elucidating on the changes and improvements made in J. Peterman's warehouse operations and the incorporation of Cart.com into their tech stack. He detailed the challenges encountered during this transition, including labor and system upgrades, and the practical solutions provided by Cart.com's technological infusion, which drastically improved efficiency, reducing labor requirements and increasing order processing speed. Cohen emphasized the hybrid model proposed by Cart.com, which allowed J. Peterman to maintain their warehouse while implementing Cart.com's systems and processes. This resulted in increased efficiency and reduced costs, allowing J. Peterman to focus more on enhancing their service levels and customer relationships. Arne ended the conversation by reflecting on the industry's challenges, the continuous need for adaptation and innovation, and his optimistic outlook on leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.