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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is the time right for table-side credit card tech to go mainstream in America?
Many European restaurants use table-side credit card authorization terminals, irrespective of type or level of service and price points. These devices have yet to approach critical mass in the U.S…
Salvage stores achieve sales growth by selling ‘unsellable’ goods
In an inflationary era when customers are increasingly strapped for cash and hunting for discounts, a category of ultra-low-priced grocers that sell the unsellable is growing in popularity. Do you expect…
Is Kohl’s putting too many of its eggs in Sephora’s basket?
The Sephora at Kohl’s store-within-a-store concept is working really well for both retailers one year after its debut. So, why hasn’t all the good news surrounding this partnership done more…
Is Tractor Supply barking up the right tree with its new Neighbor’s Club rewards?
Tractor Supply is making changes to its Neighbor’s Club rewards program, putting greater emphasis on building closer relationships with the pet parents who shop in its stores. What do you…
Sales and marketing pros want more from their CRM systems
More than three decades after the software’s arrival in the late eighties, surveys show CRM (customer relationship management) remains a frustration to many users. What do you see as the…
TikTok turns Costco into a fashion magnet
Users of TikTok and other social platforms are sharing their finds at Costco, helping to make the warehouse club a destination for bargain fashion. Why are Costco fashion finds going viral…
Are inflation bonuses worth it for retailers?
Lowe’s is spending a total of $55 million on bonuses for hourly store associates to help them offset the sting of inflation, which has remained near 40-year highs for much…
What should the free shipping threshold be?
Kohl’s said its online sales in the second quarter benefited from higher conversion rates, driven largely by a move to lower its free shipping threshold on order size to $49…
Are retailers missing opportunities to leverage location-powered experiences?
Many of the components needed to deliver location-based services have been around for years, but the complexity of implementing infrastructure and integrating systems has kept retailers from using this technology…
Pabst’s 1980s-themed motel is a throwback to way back
Reviving the pre-pandemic pop-up hotel trend, Pabst has partnered with a motel in Traverse City, MI, to decorate and rent three Pabst Blue Ribbon-themed rooms tinged with 1980s nostalgia. What’s…
If Walmart builds a social influencer platform, will marketplace sellers come?
Walmart may have intentions to launch a platform to help the retailer and third-party sellers promote the sales of products on the walmart.com marketplace. What role does influencer marketing play…
Is Target ready for what comes next?
Target is ready to get back to its more profitable ways. That was the message yesterday from CEO Brian Cornell on the chain’s second-quarter earnings call with analysts. What do you…
Which data capabilities are still out of reach for marketers?
Fewer than four in 10 marketing leaders are extremely or very confident in their data, analytics and insights systems, according to a new study. The report outlines the data capabilities…
ThredUP enlists ‘Stranger Things’ star to help turn the fast fashion world upside down
Fast fashion has long been criticized for its negative environmental impact. Now online resale retailer thredUP is launching a campaign with a celebrity influencer espousing the ills of fast fashion,…
Should sports betting be served up in grocery aisles?
Kroger, Giant Eagle and Acme Fresh Market have applied for licenses to install sports gaming kiosks at Ohio locations as the state gets set to legalize sports betting at the…
Walmart under-promised and over-delivered in the second quarter
Walmart is apparently capable of surprising itself. The retailer reported better than expected sales and earnings for its second quarter just weeks after lowering its forecast. What is your takeaway from…
Should The Body Shop be mobilizing voters?
Timed to International Youth Day, The Body Shop has launched a youth voter engagement and registration drive across its U.S. stores and website ahead of the November midterm elections. Does…
Will circular commerce drive traffic to stores?
Resale is enormously popular. In fact, secondhand apparel, according to thredUp, is expected to grow 16x faster than the market for new apparel by 2026. Do you agree that resale has…
Have restaurant meals become a better deal than food from grocery stores?
The conventional wisdom has long been that you are financially better off making food at home than splurging on eating out. But the inflationary economy might be flipping that logic…
Nike takes the week off
Nike has closed its corporate and Air MI offices this week to give its employees time off to recharge their batteries. Does giving corporate offices vacation at the same time…
Is inflation the biggest back-to-school story?
Deloitte, KPMG and Mastercard all issued “Gold Star” back-to-school spending forecasts in the range of 7.5 percent to nine percent, attributing spending increases in part to inflation. Do you agree that…
