Direct to Consumer Brands have transformed the way we shop online. But what happens when they go “offline”? Whether it’s a move to become a pickup hub, pop-up, or flagship, digitally native players are finding success with storefronts. But now it’s time to ask how to get it right. Over the past month, we’ve explored the rise of direct-to-consumer sellers, their push to enter the retail space, and the reasons this move is a good idea. But good ideas in theory don’t always turn out to be good ideas in practice. Yes, a DTC storefront can connect with customers, create community, and drive unplann ..read more

Over the past few months, we’ve dug deep into the world of boutique hotels. These exciting spaces embrace local flair and provide an unforgettable experience. But what makes them so different? What can you learn from success stories? We hope to explain all this and more below. From our initial look into the rise of boutique hotels and history of these spaces to our exploration into the many different types of boutique hotels, we’ve discussed many of the things that make boutique hotels special to guests. Four Things You Can Learn from the Success of Boutique Hotels But this begs the question ..read more

At Morgan Li, we’re putting in the work to transform spaces. And to better support this, we’re expanding our production and warehousing space to deliver on our partners’ biggest projects. That’s why we’re proud to announce our acquisition of a massive facility just minutes from our headquarters. Never miss an update! Subscribe to our mailing list for all the latest! Washington Street facility in Chicago Heights, Illinois adds 230,000 square feet of domestic production, assembly and warehousing space on 13 acres for rapidly growing custom wood and metal manufacturer. CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill.—Janua ..read more

The boutique hotel world continues to get more intriguing. Following decades in the underground, catering to travelers in the know, today’s boutique hotels are more accessible and popular than ever. Following our blogs over the past few months discussing what it means to be a boutique hotel and how these spaces have become so popular, we’re today looking at the many types of boutiques available to guests. From budget-friendly spaces to luxury digs and so much more, many guests are seeking out new experiences—and new operators to provide. Boutique Hotels for Every Need Today, boutiques have tak ..read more

Boutique hotels have become incredibly popular in the past decade. Authentic, local, experience-based, and personalized, guests have flocked to these hospitality spaces to escape from brand-regulated, some may say “boring” hotels. Following last month’s article on the basics of what makes a boutique hotel a boutique, we’d today like to explore the history of boutiques, answering the question, “how did these unique spaces become so popular?” A Brief History of Boutique Hotels Any way you look at it, boutique, designer, and lifestyle hotels think differently. And despite the existence of spaces ..read more

As EVs become more popular, gas stations and convenience spaces have an opportunity to create a new profit stream. In fact, when compared to the three cents per gallon you’d normally make from gas, an investment in charging stations could bring you a whole lot more. In last month’s article, we looked at some of the major reasons electric vehicles are becoming mainstream. Today, we’re going to look at some of the ways EV drivers differ from traditional drivers and the ways to help them get more out of the charging experience. Behaviors of Today’s EV Driver EV adoption is picking up steam, but d ..read more

If you haven’t heard, we’re facing a supply chain crisis. Car manufacturers can’t get chips, customers can’t get paper products, and prices are skyrocketing.  We’ve seen canals blocked, ships waiting for port, and finger-pointing from the left and right. But for the people and companies waiting for goods, pointing blame matters a whole lot less than getting the things needed to operate. That said, there’s one myth going around that needs to be addressed—and that’s what we’re looking to do today. Is Just-in-Time to Blame for the Supply Chain Crisis? Ships are waiting for port. The trucking ..read more

For most of their 4,000-plus year history, not much has changed in the hotel world. From their birth in ancient Egypt to today, hotels have been a place for weary travelers to rest. Whether it provided simple lodging or luxury digs, guests could generally expect a brand-consistent experience. But after a few decades being the option for travelers in the know, boutique hotels’ embrace of authenticity, creativity, and personal touch took them into the mainstream. But why was this the case? What suddenly changed the market? Heck, what defines a boutique? We’re going to answer all this and more in ..read more

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more affordable, ranges are increasing, and adoption is ramping up. But what does this mean for today’s C-store owner, gas station operator, or travel center? A big opportunity. With gas only accounting for 3 cents per gallon in profits for the station, EV charging could provide new possibilities to generate sales from customers. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to explore the rise of electric vehicles and their surprising potential for increasing profitability at the locations that install charging stations. Six Things Driving Electric Vehicle Adoption ..read more

‘Tis the season for giving, and Morgan Li is making sure one deserving Chicago nonprofit’s holiday wishes are More than Made this year.   Morgan Li, a leading provider of retail solutions, is launching a new initiative to help deserving local nonprofits upgrade the spaces where they work and serve. Starting today through Dec. 31, Morgan Li is encouraging anyone working for or benefitting from a local nonprofit whose space could use a refresh to nominate their organization for a free Morgan Li makeover.  Nominations can be submitted through this form for nonprofits that currently have ..read more