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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Instacart is moving into the ultrafast lane
Instacart is joining the ultrafast delivery race. The company said it is building nano-fulfillment warehouses with the goal of speeding local deliveries to customers in as little as 15 minutes. Do…
How did Abercrombie pull off its comeback?
Abercrombie & Fitch just scored its highest operating margin in over a decade with 2022 expected to show greater annual net store openings than closures for the first time since…
Will a new AI lab make Kroger the freshest grocer of them all?
Kroger is looking to use artificial intelligence to optimize its supply chain and deliver the freshest food to its customers with a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA. Will the use of…
Has Warby Parker reinvented its business model?
Warby Parker now sees room to open over 900 stores in the U.S. to support its newer growth opportunities. Was Warby Parker always destined to open an extensive chain of…
Petco CEO isn’t losing sleep over inflation
Americans may be concerned about rising food and fuel prices, but Petco Health + Wellness Company CEO Ron Coughlin isn’t expecting that worry to have a negative effect on his…
Can Dr. Pepper build a better bottle?
A major name in consumer packaged goods is looking to create a new soda bottle more sustainable than anything that has appeared on the shelves so far. Would a fully…
Giant Food cuts delivery and pickup fees as online biz soars
Giant Food last week did away with the $2.95 fee it was charging customers to pick up their online grocery orders at 159 of the supermarket chain’s stores. Will Giant…
Will a robot chip away at Chipotle’s labor issues?
While ingredient scooping and burrito rolling remain in the hands of human staff at Chipotle for now, tortilla chip-making duties at the chain may soon be managed by robots. What…
Can a rebrand popularize Saks Off Fifth with a new generation?
In hopes of appealing to younger luxury shoppers, Saks Off 5th has undergone a rebrand that includes a new tagline — “Where Fashion Takes Off” — and visual identity that…
Has ‘consumer’ become a bad word?
The term “consumer” is reportedly facing some backlash as over-consumption takes the blame for many environmental issues, according to a new article. Should brands and retailers stop using the word…
How can retailers fund strategic priorities as challenges abound?
More than two years into the novel coronavirus pandemic and retailers are still searching for answers. What can retailers do to competitively fund the initiatives captured in Deloitte’s survey?
H&M opens its e-commerce site to third-party clothing brands
H&M has opened up its e-commerce sites in Germany and Sweden to third-party brands on a trial basis. The retailer is testing to see whether a marketplace model will resonate…
Macy’s lets associates express their style
Macy’s has updated its dress code to encourage associates to dress according to their personal styles so they can be better seen as experts for style advice. What do you…
Will smaller, more localized stores work for Kohl’s?
Kohl’s, at its Investor Day earlier this month, said it plans over the next four years to open 100 small-format stores, at about 35,000 square feet versus the company average…
Google Maps tries to eliminate retail’s last mile headaches
Google last week introduced two Google Maps-infused tools to optimize last mile delivery from order to doorstep. What will be the primary challenges retailers face building their own last mile delivery…
Will retailers stop the presses on print circulars?
Walgreens reportedly ended its print circular last fall, Target last November and CVS at the close of 2021 as comfort with digital circulars and coupons has grown over the pandemic…
Will Starbucks really be able to trash its paper cups?
If Starbucks makes good on its most recent environmentally-minded endeavor, by 2025 you may not see nearly as many of the chain’s paper cups in the hands of coffee drinkers…
Retailers and suppliers need to prioritize collaboration now
Supply constraints have increased over the past year, so retailers must lay a groundwork that will help ensure adequate inventory on shelves (both physical and digital). How can retailers and…
What inflation-era consumer behavior should we expect next?
Retail sales gains demonstrate continuing strength in consumer spending, although there are signs that inflation may be causing some to hold off purchases or trade down to less expensive alternatives. What…
Will limited-edition exclusives become the next big thing in grocery?
Walmart has scored an exclusive deal on seven new flavors of ice cream from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, including Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Does Walmart’s exclusive partnership with Van Leeuwen…
Howard Schultz is back again at Starbucks
Starbucks is looking for a new CEO following Kevin Johnson’s decision to retire after 13 years at the company. Mr. Johnson, who has led Starbucks since 2017, said that he…
