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About Us

Our Team: Seasoned Professionals.  Our Promise: Actionable Insight

  • Actionable research and strategy to Fortune 500 consumer service and retail companies in accelerating topline growth, building customer loyalty and increasing marketing productivity
  • Strategic counsel to investors and developers looking to maximize returns in the Retail and other Consumer service sectors
  

Our People: Client-side experience. Cutting edge expertise.

Craig Johnson, President

  • 35 years of experience in consumer and retail sectors
  • Founder and President of CGP since 2001 
  • Partner, Marketing Corp of America/Interpublic (IPG)
  • Partner/Director of e-Commerce, Peppers & Rogers
  • CEO, Celutel, Inc. (CLTL)
  • President, PSI International (PIN/DUK)
  • Technology Management Group, Booz Allen Hamilton
  • VP-Marketing, regional Consumer Electronics retailer
  • Operations group, Apparel retailer 
  • Guest columnist, Barron's, Chain Store Age  
  • Board-Alzheimers Association (CT)
  • MBA Stanford, BA Yale

 

Jean Schlemmer

  • Executive VP-Asset Management, General Growth Properties, the nation's second largest Retail REIT
  • Chief Corporate Development Officer and earlier VP-Leasing, General Growth Properties
  • Gabbert & Peck, developers of the Galleria, Edina, MN   
  • Over 30 Years of Experience in Retail Real Estate
  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
  • BA University of Minnesota


Parke Johnson

  • Director-Thought Leadership and Thematic Marketing Programs, Legg Mason
  • Director-Product Marketing, Legg Mason 
  • Director-Product Marketing, Citigroup Asset Management and Smith Barney
  • VP-Smith Barney Corporate Finance
  • BS Skidmore College

Bob Ference

  • President, Strategic Insights & Solutions 
  • President, Information Resources Division, Marketing Corp. of American/Interpublic (IPG)
  • Partner and Managing Director, Brand Equity Practice-Marketing Corp. of America
  • Prior consumer insight and marketing strategy experience at Heublein, Pepperidge Farm and Kraft Foods

 

James Bieri

  • Principal, Stokas Bieri Real Estate
  • Formerly President, Bieri & Co. 
  • 35 years of experience in Luxury and Specialty retail leasing, focusing on new concept launch and fleet build-out strategy
  • Creator of The Bieri Market Reports/Top 25 Markets
  •  Member:  ABA, ICSC, Urban Land Institute
  • BA Western Michigan, JD Detroit College of Law

Jack Smyth

  • VP-Product Management, CompuCom 
  • Dir-Planning, HP Customer Service (HPQ)
  • Dir-Tech Support Call Center, Compaq
  • CEO, The Learning Company
  • MBA Stanford, BS/IE Cornell

 

Christina Jennette 

  • Assistant Vice President, Legg Mason
  • Senior Specialist, Prudential  
  • Account Manager, MemberWorks
  • Brand Marketing, Diageo
  • Sales, Williams-Sonoma
  • Copy Editor, Brann/Havas Worldwide
  • MS, Quinnipiac, BS, Southern Connecticut

 

Our Insights....In the Media

  • Impacts of Fed Stimulus on Retail Spending:  Bloomberg TV May 22, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/the-consequences-of-a-stimulated-economy-UX33eCx2SKOhU8KKFYuzlw.html

  • Walmart Q1 Results and Key Challenges:  Bloomberg TV May 16, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/can-t-blame-duke-for-wal-mart-woes-johnson-mInLXRYGSoG~xEV4fCf7yA.html

  • Retail Q1 Performance and Outlook:  Bloomberg TV May 9, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/what-to-put-in-your-portfolio-~IB~uEmkT8KjV2v41VtZxg.html

  • Impact of Terrorism and Disasters on Consumer Spending:  Time Magazine Apr 19, 2013

  http://business.time.com/2013/04/19/how-badly-did-fridays-manhunt-lockdown-hurt-bostons-economy/

  • Boston Bombings Will Only Briefly Depress Retail Sales:  WWD Apr 16, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/retail-features/boston-marathon-bombings-put-major-cities-on-alert-across-globe-6896923

  • Ron Johnson Ouster and JC Penney Turnaround:  Bloomberg TV Apr 9, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/can-mike-ullman-turn-j-c-penney-around-cn3gatC1R_qrJHkRtyRdbA.html

  • JC Penney Turnaround Progress and Jewelry Center Core Strategy:  WWD Apr 2, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/department-stores/penneys-elevating-jewelry-with-bijoux-bar-6877923?module=hp-topstories

  • Retail Outllook:  JC Penney, Costco, and TJX vs. Ross Stores:  Bloomberg TV Mar 7, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/will-johnson-s-j-c-penney-revival-plan-work-aCHmVBnLRAOHyp8E_iAgtQ.html?cmpid=yhoo

  • JC Penney Broke the Cardinal Rule of Retail: Bloomberg TV Feb 28, 2013

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/j-c-penney-broke-cardinal-rule-of-retail-johnson-Yvcrr9dOQHOHwOGZd6zQNg.html

  • JC Penney Turnaround Plan:  WWD Feb 26, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/mass-off-price/jc-penney-banks-on-home-in-turnaround-6801700?module=hp-topstories

  • TJX Prepares for Long-Awaited e-Commerce Launch:  WWD Feb 25, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/business-news/financial/tjx-gets-set-for-e-commerce-plunge-6797973

  • Coach Inc. Management Transition:  Wall Street Journal Feb 14, 2013

  http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130214-710603.html

  • Retail Earnings Outlook for 2013:  PBS/Nightly Business Report Feb 7, 2013

  http://www.nbr.com/videos/video/2149828939001/will-retail-earnings-stay-strong-through-2013-feb-7-2013

  • CGP Forecasts Below-Consensus 2.9% Growth for 2013:  WWD Jan 28, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/nrf-predicts-slower-growth-in-2013-6666860

  • Steep Markdowns Drive Holiday Results:  WWD Jan 3, 2013

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/steep-markdowns-improve-retailers-holiday-6561822?full=true

  • Holiday Sales Weak but Christmas-New Year's Week Will Help:  Barron's Dec 30, 2012

  http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052748704723404578203440367893334.html#articleTabs_article%3D1

  • Post Christmas Retail Sales to be Robust:  Bloomberg TV Dec 27, 2012

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/johnson-christmas-to-new-year-retail-to-be-strong-owsD~AgwTZOBzJkXu_8FOQ.html

  • Stores Bank on Post-Christmas Sales:  WWD Dec 26, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/retail-features/holiday-sales-disappoint-6554180?module=hp-topstories

  • Early Data Show Weak Holiday Sales:  Wall Street Journal Dec 25, 2012

  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323291704578201703984825458.html

  • Holiday Retail Season Tepid at Best:  CBS Evening News Dec 22, 2012

  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57560619/retailers-are-hoping-for-a-super-saturday/

  • Last Minute Holiday Retail Outlook:  WWD Dec 19, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/impact-of-last-minute-shoppers-uncertain-6550331?module=latest-articles

  • November Retail Sales and December to Date:  Bloomberg TV Dec 13, 2012

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/retail-sales-up-0-3-following-0-3-drop-in-oct-NGczRTfqTvmwmSOgJHXCVQ.html

  • Time for Best Buy to Go Private?  Wall Street Journal Marketwatch Dec 13, 2012

  http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-12-13/industries/35789895_1_richard-schulze-electronics-retailer-public-eye

  • Bright Spots among Lackluster Holiday Season:  WWD Dec 11, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/bright-spots-seen-in-lackluster-season-6532008?full=true

  • Sales at Nation's Retailers Fall Short:  New York Times Nov 29, 2012

  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/business/sales-at-nations-retailers-fall-short.html

  • Caution Reigns after Black Friday Weekend:  WWD Nov 26, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/retail-caution-reigns-after-holiday-kicks-off-6501507?full=true

  • CGP Forecasts Holiday Spending to Rise Only 2.8%:  Bloomberg TV Nov 21, 2012

  http://www.bloomberg.com/video/johnson-holiday-spending-to-rise-just-2-8-rfRPSJ3rREismlWu5_VX7A.html

  • The Black Friday Shopper, Understood:  WWD Nov 21, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/understanding-the-black-friday-shopper-6498053?module=Retail-latest

  • Retail Earnings Signal Holiday Weakness:  Bloomberg Radio Nov 15, 2012

  http://www.spokenword.org/program/2192204

  • Holiday Retail Outlook Softening:  Wall Street Journal Marketwatch Nov 15, 2012

  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wal-mart-retailers-signal-competitive-holiday-2012-11-15?reflink=MW_news_stmp

  • Hurricane Sandy Impact on Retail Minimal, Short-Lived:  Chain Store Age Nov 13, 2012

  http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/hurricane-sandy-affect-holiday-sales-only-slightly-and-positive

  • How Natural Disasters Affect Retail and Holiday Spending:  Nightly Business Report Nov 8, 2012

  http://www.nbr.com/videos/video/1957459405001/how-retail-weathers-natural-disasters-nov-8-2012

  • Saks Outlook and Hurricane Sandy Impacts:  WWD Nov 7, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/financial/saks-profits-rise-27-6483942

  • CGP Predicts So-So Retail Holiday Season:  Barron's Oct 27, 2012

  http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424053111904034104578066623038706616.html

  • Holiday 2012 Early Outlook: NBC News Oct 12, 2012

  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/49395780/ns/today-money/t/octonovemcember-retailers-speed-holiday-calendar/

  • Retail Sales Slowed in September:  New York Times Oct 5, 2012

  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/business/economy/retailers-say-sales-slowed-in-september.html

  • August Comps and Consumer Headwinds:  WWD Aug 3, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/business-news/forecasts-analysis/august-comps-robust-despite-headwinds-6210449?module=latest-articles

  • Walmart and Gap Gains and Retail Outlook:  WWD Aug 17, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/financial/wal-mart-gap-gains-aid-retail-sector-6176609

  • Walmart Earnings Suggest Wary Shoppers:  New York Times Aug 17, 2012

  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/17/business/wal-marts-earnings-suggest-strained-shoppers.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

  • Retail Sales Tick Back Up:  WWD Aug 14, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/financial/retail-sales-rise-6163299?module=Retail-latest

  • Retail Sales and Back-to-School Outlook:  Wall Street Journal/Marketwatch Radio Aug 14, 2012

  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retail-sales-just-okay-compared-to-last-year-2012-08-14

  • JC Penney Turn is Just Beginning:  Bloomberg Radio Aug 10, 2012

  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-13/craig-johnson-says-jc-penney-turn-is-just-beginning-audio-.html?cmpid=yhoo

  • Mixed Signals for Retail Sector:  WWD Aug 6, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/business-news/forecasts-analysis/mixed-signals-for-2nd-qtr-6139414?module=Business-latest

  • Back-to-School "Pens and Penny Pinching" Review & Preview: Barron's Aug 6, 2012

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424053111903940904577559012537258988.html

  • Back-to-School Forecasts:  WWD Jul 19, 2012

  http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/nrf-study-forecasts-big-uptick-for-b-t-s-6093424

  • Walmart U.S. Sales Growth Drivers:  Supermarket News Jun 25, 2012

  http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/price-comparisons-edlp-drive-wal-marts-us-sales-growth?page=1

  • Walgreen-Boots Deal and the Drugstore Evolution:  Chicago Tribune Jun 20, 2012

  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ct-biz-0620-phil-20120620,0,4802441.column
© 2013, Customer Growth Partners, LLC. Contact: cjohnson@customergrowthpartners.com, PO Box 874, New Canaan, CT 06840
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