<h3 style="text-align: center;"></h3> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-21881 size-full" src="https://ancient.cybermaterial.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Rod-Sides.png" alt="nearly one-third of consumers" width="1200" height="800" /> <blockquote> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>"With nearly one-third of consumers not having firmly decided on where to shop for specific items, those retailers that prioritize <a href="https://ancient.cybermaterial.com/adoption-of-a-cybersecurity-framework/">safety</a> precautions, for both the customer and employees, are likely to win this holiday season." <strong>Rod Sides - Global Leader of Deloitte Insights and Vice Chairman, US Retail and Distribution Leader</strong></em></p> </blockquote> <em>Source: <a href="https://chainstoreage.com/deloitte-consumers-growing-more-anxious-about-store-shopping-safety-key"><strong>Chain Store Age</strong></a> - Nearly one-third of consumers</em> <strong>About Rod Sides:</strong> <p style="text-align: justify;">Rod is vice chairman, Deloitte LLP, and leads the US Retail & Distribution practice. He is responsible for driving key sector initiatives that include original research, talent development, and strategies that guide retailers as they navigate uncertainty, compete globally, and improve performance and profitability. A principal in Deloitte Consulting LLP, Rod has more than 25 years of experience in store operations, supply chain, procurement, back-office operations, and IT.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">As Deloitte's Vice Chairman / US Retail and Distribution Leader, he is responsible for over 1,500 Partners, Directors and Associates in one for Deloitte's largest industry practices. His experience spans the entire enterprise including store operations, supply chain, procurement, back-office operations and information technology. In addition to leading the Retail and Distribution Practice, he was the first National Leader of our Enterprise Cost Reduction Integrated Offering.</p> Since joining Deloitte he has published several articles relating to retail trends including: “2015 Annual Holiday Survey”, “How Retail Experiences are Influencing Patient-Provider Expectations: The Tail Wagging the Dog”, “Race to the Bottom: How to Survive in the New Retail Environment,” “Managing Inflation Risk in Retail: Leveraging Advanced Analytics to Weather the Storm,” “Creating Headroom for the Fight” and “SG&A Book of Metrics for Retail.”