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The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Target vs. Walmart
This week’s RetailWire Christmas Commercial pits rivals Target and Walmart against each other. What are your critiques of the Christmas spots from Target and Walmart?
Should the CMO role be retired, reinvented or reemphasized?
Two years after eliminating the role of chief marketing officer in favor of a chief growth officer, Coca-Cola is bringing back the CMO. What likely prompted Coca-Cola to bring back…
Will e-grocers learn to keep produce fresh?
Fresh fruit and vegetables are not easy to ship, posing last-mile challenges that can be pricey to address. Yet according to a new study, e-commerce customers are ordering fresh produce…
Bed Bath & Beyond’s CEO cleans house
On Tuesday, Bed Bath & Beyond announced the departure of six members of its executive team. The exits follow the hiring on Nov. 4 of Mark Tritton, Target’s former chief…
CBD madness – at a supermarket near you
Unable to deem CBD as “generally recognized as safe,” FDA basically warned that selling CBD-containing food and drink is still against the law. So how come it’s all over supermarkets…
How should grocery stores leverage unaffiliated influencers?
Good grocery store experiences can be worth telling the world about, and some fans of major grocery chains are doing just that, bringing their enthusiasm to social media — without…
The Beatles Play SoHo
Fifty-five years after their legendary performance at the Ed Sullivan Theater, The Beatles have come back to New York as a holiday pop-up. Will Sony’s Beatle’s-themed pop-up offer much appeal?
Why is Amazon banning FedEx ground delivery?
Starting Dec. 18, Amazon will begin temporarily restricting marketplace sellers from using FedEx’s ground services for Prime orders. What do you believe is the reason behind the restriction Amazon temporarily…
Lyft rides wave of social responsibility to fix food deserts
Food deserts continue to be a huge social problem that charities, government and the private sector are all working to solve. Lyft has been using the rideshare model to offer…
Andy Dunn’s departure from Walmart indicative of a broader problem
The exits of founders and key personnel from acquired tech startups is common. Reasons cited include misalignment of values and vision, personal ambition or interest in other opportunities. How important…
Will Hudson be more than just a newsstand with a new look?
Travel hub mainstay Hudson is the latest retail chain to rethink its look and feel to meet the needs of contemporary customers. A revamped store layout will feature digital displays…
Is the trade deal an early-Christmas present?
On Friday, the U.S. and China agreed on a Phase One Deal that provides some tariff relief for U.S. businesses that import from China. How much confidence should retailers…
Is there any limit to how many stores Dollar General can open?
One driving force behind the recent waves of brick-and-mortar store closures has been the need to trim unprofitable locations in an overstored retail landscape. One retailer, however, is going full…
Are customers more loyal to brands or influencers?
One of the most difficult balancing acts in all of marketing is trying to administer brand control while simultaneously giving influencers the freedom to generate authentic messaging. Do you see…
Kroger still deciding whether to extend free grocery pickup
Kroger’s test of free pickup in most markets is a hit with customers, but the grocer is still analyzing what the long-term benefits might be before making it a regular…
Will IHOP fans flip out over its new fast-casual breakfast foods concept?
IHOP has announced plans to open a new fast-casual restaurant concept called Flip’d by IHOP that features an all-day menu “inspired” by the chain’s signature items. Do you see Flip’d…
Kroger and Walgreens are in a purchasing alliance and seeking more partners
The Kroger Co. and Walgreens have formed a new group purchasing organization (GPO), Retail Procurement Alliance, which further expands joint efforts between the supermarket and drugstore powerhouses. How will the…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Best Buy vs. Big Lots
This week’s matchup between Best Buy and Big Lots may not provide the same level of creative storytelling as previous spots, but each features a unique take on playing to…
One of the best Christmas commercials ever cost almost nothing to make
How does a small hardware store in Wales with fewer than 3,000 subscribers on YouTube generate over 2.5 million views of its Christmas commercial? The answer is a do-it-yourself success…
Will Google take ‘going local’ to another level?
Noting that it’s seeing 350 times more search interest in “local” and “near me” than there was 10 years ago, Google recently updated its localization tools available for retailers. Do…
Will same-day delivery make for a merry Old Navy Christmas?
Old Navy needs a win. One piece of the retailer’s game plan to turn its fortunes around in the fourth quarter is same-day delivery of online orders. What do you…
