Goldman Sachs Doesn't Want to Be Everyone's Bank But It Has to Be Someone's...

Goldman Sachs has been in transformation mode for eight years, striving to expand beyond corporations and the wealthy.

In 2016, Goldman launched Marcus, a consumer-facing brand to give them an edge against larger banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.

What's Goldman's Strategy?

Goldman Sachs is restructuring its business structure, potentially signaling a shift in direction. CEO David Solomon has advocated for an efficient corporate strategy with fewer divisional silos and a centralized focus on core services. This move could also help ease the difficult business cycle that has seen layoffs and other setbacks impact the firm's consumer banking unit.

In 2021, a new business model was unveiled that combines investment banking and global markets divisions into one unit called "Strategic Group." Furthermore, they have created a wealth management division to generate more stable revenue streams while avoiding trading volatility.

One aspect of their strategy is to diversify revenues, which has caused some controversy due to concerns over trading and investment banking revenue being highly seasonal. While those activities remain the firm's mainstay, rivals are gaining market share by moving into more stable businesses and targeting clients with larger sums of money.

To reach this goal, the bank is selling some assets - including its European asset manager NN IP - and reallocating resources elsewhere within the company. These steps aim to reduce customer acquisition costs while creating more long-term revenue opportunities, according to Solomon.

Solomon has been forced to acknowledge that his strategy isn't working and is now rethinking it. This comes amid Goldman's ongoing struggles with an industry-wide dry spell in M&A and IPO dealmaking, leading the bank to lay off more staff than usual in recent years.

Goldman Sachs' consumer banking unit has made significant advancements over the past year, offering loans to sellers on Amazon and Walmart marketplaces as well as launching a titanium-made credit card with Apple. All this is part of Goldman's effort to become more prominent in the financial sector - particularly retail space.

General Motors recently joined forces with the bank to offer credit cards and other banking services to their customers. Furthermore, Marcus Insights, a smart tools and tracking platform developed by the bank, provides help managing personal finances.

These moves demonstrate Goldman's effort to diversify its revenue stream, but it remains uncertain if these strategies will be successful. While it's possible the firm will gain traction in these new markets, it remains uncertain if it can grow quickly enough to make an impact on Wall Street banks' competitive landscape.

Furthermore, the firm is actively searching for more investment funds that it can sell to potential investors if the company decides to go public. These funds invest in private companies with a good chance of going public and generate millions of dollars in fees for the bank.

But Goldman's strategy is most critical in order to maintain its 153-year old bank's place in history and continue its steady rise for shareholders. To accomplish this feat, the bank needs a culture of teamwork that it is renowned for.

It's Trying to Be Everyone's Bank

David Solomon, Goldman's CEO since 2020, is striving to transform the firm into more of a public company than an established private bank. And he's taking some bold steps in order to accomplish this transformation.

One of his major initiatives has been to launch a consumer banking business for Main Street, where people don't have access to financial services. Furthermore, he reorganized the bank to put more emphasis on its asset management business.

Another major step was the launch of an online-only savings account, which has received glowing reviews from customers and generated a waiting list of potential accounts. It offers low-cost ways for the bank to raise capital as well as consumers access to an above market interest rate.

Solomon has a vision to transform Goldman into a more customer-centric institution. Additionally, the CEO wants to build an international platform that will enable the bank to offer various services such as wealth management and insurance.

The company hopes to generate more cash from its expanding trading business, which could help it combat losses that have increased significantly over the past two years due to both the coonavirus pandemic and an accounting standard that made modeling bad loans more complex.

Meanwhile, the bank is developing more consumer finance products like credit cards and personal loans to broaden its client base and make it more appealing to investors.

Experts warn that Goldman's consumer banking division is still in its early stages and doesn't yet encompass all of their operations. At present, experts believe, this division serves only to serve as a hub for other aspects of the bank's activities.

Goldman still only accounts for a relatively small part of their overall revenue, which has been growing rapidly over the past few years. Therefore, they have been under immense pressure to continue producing more earnings and profits.

Though that's a positive development, Goldman is also losing ground in some key areas. For instance, the bank has suffered $3 billion worth of consumer banking losses since 2020 - an indication that their strategy may have backfired.

The residual effects of those losses are leaving some employees dissatisfied, placing additional pressure on Solomon to address the problems.

Solomon recently spoke with Fortune about his plans for the company, emphasizing the need to move in a different direction. To accomplish this feat, he says he needs people working together more closely.

As a result, the company will need to hire more personnel in order to meet demand. That will necessitate increased investment in training and talent development, according to Henning.

Goldman is taking a unique approach compared to other large banks, but it appears to be working for them.

Will that be enough to keep the bank going? There are other challenges as well.

Goldman employees don't necessarily agree that they should have to report into the office five days a week; according to one recent poll, only 3% of white-collar workers favor such requirements.

Best Buy Plans to Open More Outlet Stores Selling Used and Refurbished Item

Electronics retailer Best Buy is looking to open more outlet stores selling pre-owned and refurbished items. These shops have become a popular way for tech enthusiasts to save on big-ticket items like appliances and TVs.

The company is also testing out small-format stores that focus on tech essentials, offering customers video chat with product support and mobile self-checkout capabilities.

They are a way to get rid of old inventory

Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, is planning to open more outlet stores selling used and refurbished items. This move is part of their efforts to attract more customers by offering discounts on returned, repaired or exchanged products.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it will expand its outlet store network to 32 this year with new locations opening in Phoenix, Chicago and Houston. Furthermore, they plan on adding an outlet deals section to their website.

Harmon explained in a blog post that outlet stores "serve multiple purposes for Best Buy." They provide them with an outlet to sell overstocked, resold and refurbished products while helping clear inventory from regular stores to make room for new merchandise.

He noted that Best Buy's outlet model allows them to offer a wider selection of items at lower prices, such as gaming products, laptops, mobile phones and tablets.

Additionally, this allows the company to take advantage of customer demand for pre-owned or open-box items. Refurbished iPhones and Apple Watches, for instance, can save shoppers up to $200 off list prices.

Shoppers at these outlets can get tech support from the Geek Squad. Plus, those who shop there will receive $50 to $100 off a Geek Squad membership!

Next month, Best Buy plans to open another outlet in Charlotte, where five test stores were opened last year. These stores differ from mainline locations by being smaller and offering a smaller selection of big appliances or electronics.

They provide a select range of high-end products, such as TVs, computers and "HiFi equipment."

For at least two years, Golf Galaxy has been making rounds around Houston; first at Gulfgate Mall and then across from Willowbrook Mall where it will finally open its doors in 2019. What was once part of Golf Galaxy was converted to its own storefront in 2019, which will now serve the entire metroplex.

In a recent RetailWire BrainTrust discussion about the outlet expansion, some members expressed concern that Best Buy might cut corners on service or lose price discipline in this space. However, experts who responded to our online poll seemed to think their strategy was sound at the right time.

They are a way to attract new customers

Best Buy of Richfield, Ohio, is looking to attract new customers by opening more outlet stores that sell pre-owned and refurbished items. These shops provide discounts on televisions and appliances that have been returned, repaired, exchanged or discontinued by their manufacturers. After operating these locations for about a year, Best Buy plans to double that number over the course of one more year.

In addition to outlet stores, Best Buy is also testing different store formats in an effort to enhance customer experience. In Monroe, North Carolina, they are trialing a digital-first small format store that is 15 percent smaller than typical Best Buy locations.

This format is intended to give customers an in-person shopping experience and help them make informed decisions about their purchases. It's an effort to stay abreast of changes in consumer behavior that are impacting retail as people cut back on purchasing discretionary items.

The chain said its outlet stores will help keep products out of landfills by giving them a second life. This is part of their initiative to give technology an extended lifespan through repair and recycling.

Best Buy is looking to rekindle customer interest in their company by opening outlets across other U.S. cities, such as Houston, Chicago and Phoenix. Furthermore, Best Buy plans to introduce an outlet deals section on its website for the first time ever.

Best Buy's outlet stores enable them to clear out old inventory and make room for new merchandise. Furthermore, by providing more product variety at these outlets, Best Buy hopes to attract customers who might not otherwise visit a traditional Best Buy store.

In 2022, the chain opened a pilot store in Monroe, North Carolina - just 5,000 square feet smaller than their regular 35 to 40,000-square-foot locations.

It offers a digital-first store experience, allowing shoppers to scan products' QR codes using their smartphones and send the order straight to the pickup counter. Furthermore, it aims to encourage shoppers to shop more in-store by providing grab-and-go items and the ability to pay through its app.

They are a way to keep costs down

Best Buy has announced plans to open more outlet stores selling used and refurbished goods, in an effort to reduce expenses and boost sales. In Chicago, Phoenix and Manassas, VA, it will remodel existing locations before adding new ones; additionally, Houston's outlet will move into larger quarters.

The company also wants to expand its outlets so it can attract new customers who don't want to pay full price for merchandise. These shoppers tend to shop at outlet stores that provide a wider selection of discounts, such as open-box or clearance products.

To that end, the new outlet stores will offer expanded product assortments and services like same-day delivery, curbside pickup and a Geek Squad center for tech support. They'll also carry more gaming products, laptops, mobile phones and tablets for shoppers' convenience.

Refurbished/open-box items are an economical way to purchase new technology, and Best Buy offers a wide selection of these goods. Many come with warranties so you can be confident in their quality; plus, many of the items come with free shipping!

These products are sourced from qualified Marketplace partners who accept returns and refurbish them thoroughly. In most cases, the results are indistinguishable from new with the exception of cosmetic wear or light signs of use.

Best Buy, the retail industry's leading recipient of returned consumer electronics, sells about $1 billion worth of refurbished merchandise annually through its outlet channels and other sources. On average, its refurbished merchandise offers savings between 20%-40% off retail prices.

Best Buy has announced plans to close 17 larger-format stores this year and open 10 outlet locations, following slower holiday quarter sales and warning of potential soft demand for electronics. These moves could help the retailer stay competitive, as Best Buy expects these stores to remain open longer than anticipated.

These outlets are targeted toward those who want a great deal on high-end items but don't require as much personal service. Best Buy also uses them as an opportunity to keep its discount sections out of regular stores, giving room to showcase new full-price merchandise.

They are a way to help vendors sell their own refurbished goods

One of the best ways to save on electronics is by purchasing used or refurbished devices. These products often come with discounts of up to 50%, making them a great option if you need a new computer, laptop or tablet for yourself or someone in your family at an affordable price without compromising quality or features.

Many online retailers provide refurbished products. Amazon for instance sells its Renewed storefront with pre-owned goods sold by third-party sellers who undergo inspections and refurbishments.

Other popular stores offering refurbished products include BackMarket, which has an extensive selection of tech at deeply discounted prices. These sites make it simple to locate a device in good condition with its warranty still active.

These outlets also enable vendors to resell their own refurbished goods, which could be a lucrative business model. Manufacturers ship their product directly to the outlet and get paid when it sells it; this differs from traditional brick-and-mortar stores which have much higher operating expenses and must sell off all of their inventory.

Additionally, opening more outlet stores could enable Best Buy to attract "value-focused" shoppers. These individuals tend to be more into technology and less concerned with spending large sums of money on a new piece of equipment.

As the industry moves toward a more tech-driven experience, retailers like Best Buy must adjust to this shift by selling to customers across all channels - online, mobile and in-store. Those who fail to embrace this trend risk becoming irrelevant.

Tom Webb of the Pioneer Press suggests refurbished products are an effective way for companies to cut costs and maximize quality. Not only are these items often cheaper than buying new, but they may also last longer.

They provide retailers with a way to reduce inventory and get rid of unwanted or outdated products. Furthermore, they allow the retailer to make room for new models by clearing away old stock.

Apple and Microsoft provide alerts to notify you when new, refurbished, and certified pre-owned devices go on sale. You can create an alert by identifying the type of device you're searching for and entering your email address; this way, you'll always be informed when this product goes on sale.