Renee Griffin | Last of a 3-part series
While brick-and-mortar will remain integral to nurturing the relationships in Neiman Marcus Group’s core business, the avenue for future growth is in digital with the ability to scale at very low cost and leverage data to personalize attraction and strengthen loyalty among customers who have lifetime value.
NMG is also taking the long view in shaping its culture for retail transformation with a top-down approach to diversity, equity, inclusion. Instead of a proliferation of new, check-the-box programs, the company is integrating evidence-based, bias-interrupter practices holistically across its ecosystem.
The aims include casting wide nets to attract, retain, and develop succession plans for diverse workforce talent, communicating equitably to promote a day-to-day workplace that feels inclusive, and enhancing diverse representation in media/marketing strategies to ensure a consistent high-touch experience for all stakeholders throughout the company’s marketplace.
Here are my three ideas for connecting creativity, strategy, and leading-edge style to enhance NMG’s workforce, workplace, and marketplace transformations.
- Join the 15% Pledge.

The fact that Black people make up 15% of the U.S. population inspired fashion designer Aurora James to start the 15% Pledge campaign and 501c-3 organization to encourage major retailers to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelves to Black-owned businesses. The overarching aim is to harness the financial power of Fortune 500 companies and consumers to create more equitable market share and access to retail supply chains for Black-owned businesses.
I think the 15% Pledge initiative presents an opportunity for Neiman Marcus to engage as a retail leader to enhance the variation of product and economic equality and help create sustainable solutions over its long-term horizon.
2. Go for the goal with Black women-owned businesses.
Earlier this year, #ShareTheMicAndTheMoneyNow was launched as an innovative initiative for Black business women to amplify their voices, heighten their marketplace exposure, and open more access to corporate supply-chain opportunities.

One of the many exciting program elements was the introduction of the Goal Getter, a specially curated collection of inspiring, motivating, and relaxing products created and marketed only by Black women-owned businesses: Bath Savvy, just add honey tea company, Kalilah Wright, Lamik, and Paintistry by Krystyn, The collection is attractively packaged in a sturdy keepsake box with bold design and functionality that enhance its delightful character.
I would love to see an exclusive e-commerce partnership between Neiman Marcus and the Goal Getter for awesome win-win retail synergy with timely social relevance: increased marketplace representation and value for Black women-owned businesses, and reinforced stature for Neiman Marcus as the leader of retail excellence in diversity and inclusion.
3. Invest in future retail workforce excellence
I have a vision for a Neiman Marcus Group Retail Center of Excellence, a strategic college or university partnership aimed at providing NMG with a pipeline of the most stellar talent equipped with the knowledge and skills for creating value through agility in relationship management and rapid digital transformation.

The center’s programs could be structured to offer certifications as well as undergraduate and post-graduate degrees through retail business-focused curricula. These could be augmented by competitive internship/co-op assignments and career-entry positions throughout NMG’s business operations. There also could be a special series of leadership-development master classes offered with hybrid options of online webinars and in-person lectures featuring NMG managers and C-suite executives imparting their leading-edge expertise and perspectives on retail excellence.
I believe a strategic partnership between NMG and the accredited business program at one of the nation’s renown HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) would make a powerful statement with galvanizing impact — setting the example for other members of the National Retail Federation to follow.
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