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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are Americans getting ready to hit the brakes on spending?
American consumers have continued spending along established patterns despite encountering higher prices for the staples of everyday life driven up by inflation. That, however, may be changing. Do you think…
Will ‘shrinkflation’ grow into a big problem for CPG brands?
With no sign of inflation abating, manufacturers have started to shrink package sizes while keeping prices the same — and customers are starting to notice. Is it a good move…
L.L.Bean is taking a month-long mental health break from social media
L.L.Bean is taking a vacation from social media. The retailer on Monday hit pause on making any social media posts for the month and left a “Gone fishin’ – See…
How long until the metaverse reaches mainstream appeal?
Recent surveys since Facebook changed its name to Meta last November have found consumers have some interest in virtual experiences, including shopping, but that the metaverse concept remains foggy. Where…
Does resale make sense for Dick’s Sporting Goods?
Dick’s Sporting Goods is piloting an in-store buy-back program for select outdoor hard and soft goods. The program is being done in partnership with Out&Back Outdoor, a re-seller founded in…
Will Amazon’s Pet Day take a bite out of Chewy?
Amazon is holding its first Amazon Pet Day in celebration of National Pet Month, focusing on a rare category where the company is facing an equally formidable online player in…
Family Dollar has a big rodent problem
The Arkansas Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar Stores that alleges the chain and its parent company, Dollar Tree, knew for years that it had a rodent…
Victoria’s Secret expects to have a beautiful experience on Amazon
Victoria’s Secret has launched a “storefront” offering its beauty products on Amazon.com, marking the first time the brand has sold not only on Amazon but through any third-party retailer. Does…
Are Walmart and Abercombie too late for the activewear party?
Walmart and Abercombie & Fitch both recently introduced activewear collections to become the latest chains to jump on the sweaty part of the athleisure bandwagon. Is activewear a major or…
Is Hy-Vee’s highly public corporate restructuring prescient or something else?
Hy-Vee in full-page ads last week in several newspapers announced that it will ask up to 500 corporate-level employees to switch to retail jobs at its 285 stores as it battles…
Walmart’s customers love its low prices but still have gripes
Walmart seems to have improved its public image a lot over the past few years, but a new study indicates that consumers are still not huge fans of shopping in…
Is tipping out of control?
Consumers were eager to tip in the early stages of the pandemic to support local establishments, but tipping fatigue has reportedly set in. Has tipping become excessive and/or confusing?
Will Buy with Prime give Amazon an answer to Shopify?
Amazon has introduced a new program that may give third-party sellers another reason to do business with the platform instead of some of its rivals. What will Buy with Prime…
Is timing more important than speed for grocery delivery?
A recent university study finds that at least for the grocery space, precision and flexibility can be as or more important than speed for home delivery. Is optimizing delivery time…
Apple may be rethinking the role of its ‘geniuses’ in stores
Apple has pumped the brakes on hiring new associates to work its Genius bars in some stores. Do you see a need for Apple to rethink how it deploys associates…
Will a bigger gas discount drive Walmart+’s subscriber numbers higher?
The high cost of filling up the pump may work in Walmart’s favor as it continues on its campaign to increase its Walmart+ subscriber numbers. Do you think Walmart is…
Walmart’s new celebrity collab is its answer to Chip and Joanna Gaines’ line at Target
Walmart is leaning into another celebrity collaboration to help it boost sales of outdoor living products. Will Walmart’s collaboration with Dave and Jenny Marrs help make it a viable home…
Is spinning off or selling Buybuy Baby the right move for Bed Bath & Beyond?
Bed Bath & Beyond is under pressure from an activist investor to sell its BuyBuy Baby chain and interested parties are lining up for a chance to acquire the business,…
Is human bias frustrating sustainability progress?
An Oracle study finds 93 percent of business leaders would trust a bot over a human to make decisions on environmental, social, and governance programs. Are human biases and emotions…
Are JCPenney’s owners a good fit to take over Kohl’s?
Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, co-owners of JCPenney, have joined a growing list of bidders looking to acquire Kohl’s. Would Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Group make…
Do Gen Z workers deserve to be called entitled?
A social media firestorm erupted after a manager of Dollar Tree store in Indiana last week posted a sign disparaging Gen-Z’s work ethic and proclaiming a “Baby Boomers ONLY” hiring…
