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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
What will store-level job cuts mean for Best Buy’s front line and bottom line?
Best Buy is laying off an unspecified number of associates in stores across the country in what is widely seen as a cost-cutting move after the chain last month lowered…
Five keys to success in an ‘unboxed retail’ and ‘omnichoice’ world
With today’s shoppers interacting with retailers on their phones, through social media, websites and countless other modes, “unboxed retail” has created a dilemma for many retail formats anchored on street…
More consumers are developing the subscription box habit. Retailers should too.
Subscription box service sales have soared since the start of the pandemic, driven by consumers’ desire for convenience, value and variety. What do you see as the keys to operating a…
Can a grocery store teach its customers to love to cook?
A grocer in Utah is opening a store that aspires to focus on meal prep instead of just selling groceries, guiding customers to cook creatively with a limited number of…
Will Kohl’s self-pickup system be a difference maker?
Kohl’s thinks that it has developed a better buy online, pickup in-store system. The retailer Wednesday said it is rolling out self-pickup on eligible orders at all of its more…
Is inflation transforming dollar stores into bigger grocery destinations?
A recent study confirms that many of the most price-sensitive consumers are shopping more frequently at dollar stores as they’ve been unable to make ends meet by switching to cheaper…
Is retail now facing a warehouse crisis?
With supply chain bottlenecks easing, a scarcity of warehouse space is promising to replace shipping container shortages as the biggest headache in the global supply chain. Is procuring adequate warehouse…
Trucker shortage means higher pay for those on the road
It turns out that 2021 was a good year, financially, to be a truck driver in the U.S. Driver wages rose significantly as large trucking companies, retailers and others vied…
Does Walmart+ need a video streaming deal to compete with Amazon Prime?
Walmart is looking to add video streaming as a perk for joining its Walmart+ subscription plan, according to numerous reports. Is a video streaming deal what Walmart+ needs to compete…
Are negative personality traits prevalent on selling floors?
Outside of CEOs, lawyers and celebrities, salespeople score higher than all other professions for three negative personality traits collectively known in psychological theory as the dark triad, according to a recent…
Americans turned to food waste apps as grocery prices rose
In pursuit of new ways to cut grocery costs as inflation continues to threaten household budgets, families have begun turning to apps that let them circumvent paying full price by…
Should marketing have more control over pricing?
Traditionally, chief marketing officers have oversight over promotions to get products out, but not much influence on initial pricing as products come in. Should marketing play a larger role in…
Will a new store design turn Abercrombie & Fitch into a getaway shopping destination?
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has launched a new store design – The Getaway – that seeks to make “every day feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend”…
Instacart offers tiered rewards to gig workers
Instacart has introduced a three-pronged tiered-rewards program, Cart Star, to drive loyalty among its shoppers (delivery personnel). Will Instacart’s Cart Star rewards program lead to greater retention of its independent…
Is Amazon’s deal for iRobot all about mapping Americans’ homes?
Amazon.com on Friday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire iRobot, the maker of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, in an all-cash transaction valued around $1.7 billion…
Walmart goes tiny to reach nature-loving vacationers
Walmart has partnered with Getaway, known for its quaint cabins across the U.S., to open a 75-square foot “The General Store by Walmart” store concept on wheels at select Getaway…
Can venture funds help retailers keep apace with technology?
Ulta Beauty has become the latest retailer to officially launch a digital innovation venture fund. The fund will invest $20 million in startups “unlocking new technology that fuels greater discovery,…
Will refurbished products deliver ‘good as new’ results for Walmart?
Walmart has launched a program selling refurbished appliances and consumer electronics that it says will offer high-quality products at a fraction of the cost of buying them new. Do you…
Is TikTok becoming a bridal shopping portal?
With the hashtag #weddingtok drawing for over 2.9 billion views, TikTok is earning a reputation as a go-to destination for brides seeking real-life inspiration from actual brides and fashion experts…
CVS plans to buy its way into the primary care business
CVS has arguably been the driving force behind America’s acceptance of health clinics in retail stores. Now, the chain is looking to take the next step with retail clinics staffed…
Is Walmart’s HQ reorg a good thing or cause for concern?
Walmart is laying off workers as part of a reorganization of its corporate staff. The decision comes on the heels of reducing its forecast for the current quarter and the…
