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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will faster job offers help Home Depot recruit the 100K+ workers it needs now?
The Home Depot is seeking more than 100,000 new associates ahead of the chain’s spring season, its busiest of the year, at a time when finding staff for stores and…
How can retailers take the stress out of giving and getting feedback?
A new university study finds that, while high-empathy leaders tend to be better at giving negative feedback in a helpful manner, they become more distressed, inattentive and less effective at…
Meijer is the first to give customers free at-home COVID-19 PCR tests
Meijer has announced that its retail pharmacy will be the first to offer free, at-home COVID-19 PCR tests to customers. In partnership with a testing company called eTrueNorth, Meijer will be…
Should retailers ‘tip’ customers to pick up orders?
Domino’s Pizza is giving its customers a $3 tip if they pick up their food orders rather than have them delivered. The pizza chain is making the move in the…
Will Best Buy rule the metaverse?
With more people than ever talking about an impending virtual reality revolution and speculating about an eventual consumer move to a shared VR metaverse, some say Best Buy is primed…
Glossier seeks to recapture its shine after a tough 2021
Glossier revealed that it is laying off more than a third of its corporate workforce and outsourcing some technology functions after admitting to “some mistakes” in management strategy. What internal…
Are Super Bowl ads worth it?
Previous research has determined that there really isn’t a boost in sales for brands after their Super Bowl ads air. A new university study, however, finds Super Bowl ads bring…
Walmart customers can add a handyman to their purchases
Walmart customers across the country will soon be able to add a handyman to their purchases when they buy products for 150 common household projects that require product assembly and…
Is the metaverse a bubble waiting to pop?
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, said the French luxury group is willing to wait to embrace the metaverse and remains wary of potentially speculative bubbles. What signs would indicate whether…
What’s fair vs. foul in managing negative reviews?
Fashion Nova last week was ordered to pay $4.2 million to settle allegations that it concealed unfavorable reviews on its website. What do you think is fair play versus crossing…
McDonald’s new Hacks menu taps into the power of co-creation
McDonald’s recently announced that for a limited time, starting today, January 31, patrons will be able to purchase four special menu items via a new “Menu Hacks” section of its…
Is Foxtrot primed for major expansion?
Foxtrot recently secured $100 million in new funding to open 50 locations over the next two years as it seeks to “modernize the nostalgic corner store experience” with a focus…
Did M&M’s characters need a makeover?
Mars has updated M&M’s five anthropomorphized color-coded mascots that appear in marketing campaigns as a way to promote inclusivity, leading some to question whether it’s another case of “wokeness” run amuck. …
Walmart shoppers find time is well spent in new incubator store
Walmart wants to keep its customers a bit longer. The retailer announced updates to its incubator store in Springdale, AR, that are focused on engaging customers throughout the shopping journey…
Should retailers add RFID to their marketing toolbox?
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is once again being viewed as a solution for item-level inventory tracking, but its side benefits in marketing, analytics and research are also gaining attention. What’s…
Will Americans go to Lowe’s to buy dog food?
Lowe’s customers in several states will not only be able to buy products for their household projects in the chain’s stores but can now also shop for dog food and…
Retailers need to prove their sustainability cred to grow sales
Retailers in 2022 will need to prove their sustainability commitments and establish their environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials or lose business. What will be some of the biggest trade…
How will grocers react to Instacart’s expanded digital ad network?
Instacart has added a number of digital ad products on its site to give brands more opportunities to reach consumers as they shop for the groceries. How should grocers that…
Amazon Go is going big(ger) in suburban locations
Amazon.com is opening larger versions of its Amazon Go convenience store concept in the suburbs.The retail and technology giant is planning a store for Mill Creek, WA, which is located…
Will private labels help rapid delivery firms reach profitability?
Two rapid delivery start-ups, Gopuff and Buyk, have announced plans to expand into private label in moves that promise to provide a competitive point of difference and support a road…
Will social shopping even the e-commerce playing field?
A new study predicts social commerce growth will spike in the years ahead and represent a “democratizing force,” opening up opportunities online for individuals and small businesses. Do you see…
