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Celebrating Excellence
The 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program recognized retailers from across the nation. Several of the regional retail winners are profiled below.
Matt Rubel learned his craft at an early age. The 52-year-old chief of footwear giant Collective Brands Inc., parent to such brands as Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider, was introduced to retail by his parents.
“I worked in their stores growing up, starting at a very young age,” Rubel said. “I learned that I loved customers and their passion for shopping.”
Rubel has remained true to his early vocation. After graduating college in 1979, he started his career at the legendary Bonwit Teller in New York. From there, he went on to hold leadership positions at some of the nation’s most prominent retail brands. From 1999 to 2005, Rubel served as chairman, president and CEO of Cole Haan, a subsidiary of Nike, where he led a multi-year turnaround,
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Keeping up with smarter consumers
By Andy Monshaw, [email protected]
Today's consumers are more informed, influential and decisive than ever before. They demand more from their retailers, both face-to-face and virtually. Those retailers that don’t get it right, risk losing not only their business, but also their endorsement -- with friends, family, and a whole host of online followers. Small to midsize retailers, especially, feel the pressure to find new ways to forge lasting relationships with customers.