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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Apple’s privacy positioning remake digital marketing?
In a new ad that launched last week, Apple highlights its privacy features by imagining the sale of a consumer’s data in a real-world, high-stakes auction. What do you think…
Will a TikTok-like video feature make a grocery app go viral?
Short videos like those found on TikTok are a major source of entertainment today, especially for generations Gen Z and younger. Now an online grocery startup is utilizing the model…
Robots and drones and Walmart’s supply chain, oh my
Walmart is motivated to get automated. The retailing giant yesterday said that it is expanding its use of robotics to all 42 of its regional distribution centers around the U.S…
Will Adidas help Foot Locker get over Nike?
Foot Locker is counting on Adidas, the second largest athletic footwear vendor, to help compensate for the loss of business as Nike, the largest, Nike, pulls back some of its…
Are ‘neighborhood stores’ what Google fans have been searching for?
Google has announced plans to open its second store in Brooklyn’s hip Williamsburg’s neighborhood with a distinctive community vibe and a promise of more to come. What do you think…
Can Old Navy plot a new course and keep its inclusivity pledge?
Old Navy, last August, made a promise to women that it would offer all the items in its line in sizes 0 to 30 and XS to 4X and that…
Amazon tests same-day delivery from malls
Amazon is testing a new program that leverages its Flex gig economy driver network to bring deliveries to consumers’ doorsteps from malls. What do you think is behind Amazon’s test…
Do consumers want highly-personalized fridges?
Samsung has introduced a program, MyBespoke, that lets consumers personalize the front of their Samsung Bespoke fridge with their original art, family portraits, vacation photos or “whatever your creative side…
Will smart shopping carts transform the shopping experience at Albertsons?
Customers at a few dozen stores owned by Albertsons will have the option of using smart shopping carts that allow them to pick products and walk out of the store…
Has science-based marketing taken a pandemic hit?
Surveys show that trust in scientists took a hit during the pandemic and it may be impacting science-based marketing claims. Do you agree that consumers have “mixed feelings about science…
Whole Foods is into palm reading
Whole Foods Market stores in Los Angeles are giving customers the option of paying for their groceries using their palms. Do you see biometric payment technology such as Amazon One…
Is the retail sky falling?
Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday lowered its outlook to negative from stable for the U.S. retail and apparel industry. What outlook do you see for the retail industry for the…
C-store customers want an app to order ahead
Convenience store customers increasingly want to be able to place their food orders beforehand via an app, according to a new study. Will all big convenience store chains eventually need…
Are executive departures at Kohl’s a sign of things to come?
Kohl’s is losing two key executives at a time when the retailer is pursuing a sale and facing ongoing pressure from activist investors. Do you see the departures of c-suite…
Walmart and Target report higher sales and lower margins
Walmart and Target posted their first quarter results this week and the rivals had similar stories to tell of sales going up and profit margins falling down. What do you…
Should Apple have killed the iPod?
Fans poured their hearts out on social media upon hearing the news that Apple planned to discontinue its last remaining iPod, the iPod Touch. Should Apple have found a way…
Are shoppable ads finally ready for prime time?
At International Advertising Bureau’s NewFronts showcase for digital marketers, Condé Nast, AMC Networks, Roku, YouTube, NBCUniversal and Amazon’s Twitch platform were among those pitching the promise of shoppable ads. Do…
Will Walmart’s career path strategy give it a recruiting advantage?
Walmart has created a series of career path programs designed to let associates pursue advancement opportunities throughout the organization, from store-level to its headquarters in Bentonville. How do Walmart’s store…
Which exec role should guide the path to the metaverse?
Crate & Barrel Holdings last week revealed that Sebastian Brauer, who oversees product design, development and visual merchandising for the home goods chain, will take on additional responsibility. His new…
H-E-B is right at home with its new shop-in-shop concept
Visitors to one H-E-B store location can now purchase home goods while shopping for groceries, and if the Texan grocery giant continues with its current plans, visitors to many more…
Should Zara (and other retailers) be charging for online returns?
Zara in the UK has started charging a fee to return merchandise bought online. The fast-fashion retailer reportedly instituted the charge for environmental reasons. How likely is it that large…
