In a retail market heavily hooked on the “discount drug,” Kenneth Cole Productions is intentionally choosing a different path. Global CEO and President Jed Berger outlines the brand’s disciplined 2026 playbook: trading short-term revenue spikes for long-term “healthy growth.” From rewiring channel distribution to scaling a direct-to-consumer footprint in Europe and anchoring the brand identity in mental health advocacy, Berger breaks down how the historic house is playing offense to bypass the industry’s sea of sameness and secure its positioning for 2030 and beyond.
https://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CROPPED-kenneth-cole-ceo-jed-berger-headshot.jpg703800Jessica Binnshttps://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bernsandco-Logo-3.pngJessica Binns2026-05-30 11:48:192026-05-30 11:48:21Kicking the ‘Discount Drug’: How Kenneth Cole is Playing Offense in a Sea of Sameness
This week’s biggest fashion stories all pointed to the same uncomfortable truth: brand equity means less when economic pressure starts rewriting the rules. From Everlane’s sale to Shein to Walmart signaling increased strain on the American consumer, the headlines exposed an industry grappling with a deeper identity crisis, one where authenticity, ownership, and consumer trust are increasingly colliding with financial reality.
https://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/lee-closeup.jpg9031062Jessica Binnshttps://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bernsandco-Logo-3.pngJessica Binns2026-05-23 13:19:492026-05-23 13:28:47What Shein, Walmart, Authentic Brands, and Roberto Cavalli Tell Us About Retail Right Now
Half of consumers are now using AI to discover products. Half of those are using it to make the actual purchase decision. AlixPartners’ data points to what separates the retailers best positioned to meet that moment: the ability to make human connection scale.
https://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/patrick-knitwell-cropped.jpg9641200Jessica Binnshttps://bernsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bernsandco-Logo-3.pngJessica Binns2026-05-22 22:17:172026-05-23 12:37:44Eye on the Corner Office: KnitWell’s Patrick Walsh on the One Thing AI Can’t Replace in Retail
Kicking the ‘Discount Drug’: How Kenneth Cole is Playing Offense in a Sea of Sameness
In a retail market heavily hooked on the “discount drug,” Kenneth Cole Productions is intentionally choosing a different path. Global CEO and President Jed Berger outlines the brand’s disciplined 2026 playbook: trading short-term revenue spikes for long-term “healthy growth.” From rewiring channel distribution to scaling a direct-to-consumer footprint in Europe and anchoring the brand identity in mental health advocacy, Berger breaks down how the historic house is playing offense to bypass the industry’s sea of sameness and secure its positioning for 2030 and beyond.
What Shein, Walmart, Authentic Brands, and Roberto Cavalli Tell Us About Retail Right Now
This week’s biggest fashion stories all pointed to the same uncomfortable truth: brand equity means less when economic pressure starts rewriting the rules. From Everlane’s sale to Shein to Walmart signaling increased strain on the American consumer, the headlines exposed an industry grappling with a deeper identity crisis, one where authenticity, ownership, and consumer trust are increasingly colliding with financial reality.
Eye on the Corner Office: KnitWell’s Patrick Walsh on the One Thing AI Can’t Replace in Retail
Half of consumers are now using AI to discover products. Half of those are using it to make the actual purchase decision. AlixPartners’ data points to what separates the retailers best positioned to meet that moment: the ability to make human connection scale.