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Did Aviation Gin just make lemonade from Peloton’s lemons?
Actor Ryan Reynolds is a funny guy and also the owner of the Aviation Gin brand. This week, Mr. Reynolds and Aviation are in the news for not only reveling…
Chipotle asks sick employees to call the nurse
At Chipotle Mexican Grill, workers get paid to take the day off if they’re sick, but they’re often asked to check in with a nurse to validate their condition. Does…
Will female-led pop-ups add pop to Macy’s Christmas?
While department stores have increasingly reserved spaces for emerging brands, Macy’s is introducing holiday pop-ups in seven locations devoted to 12 female-led small businesses. How likely are pop-ups focused on…
Why do so many people say ‘no’ to retailer loyalty programs?
A significant number of customers are just not interested in joining loyalty programs, according to a new study, a fact that to some suggests how retailers might engage that cohort…
Canada Goose brings snow but no inventory to new concept store
Canada Goose has opened a store without inventory to leave room to create an Arctic adventure. Is the expansion potential of a hyper-experiential/inventory-less concept likely limited to a few showcase…
How has the retail seasonal hiring playbook changed?
Finding seasonal temps is a tough challenge for retailers in a market with a historically-low unemployment rate, but quickly onboarding them to support a variety of omnichannel tasks represents a…
To localize stores or not, that is the question for retailers
A recent forum featured a guided walking tour of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood to explore retailers that have mastered experiential retailing. When should a retailer hold true to their brand vs…
Will Rent the Runway‘s hotel concierge deal change how people travel?
Rent the Runway has teamed up with W Hotels in a deal that will enable guests to travel in style wearing select items from the subscription service’s wardrobe. Do you…
Are its Nordstrom pop-ups a sign that Glossier is ready to work with department stores?
Glossier has achieved success by skipping middlemen and selling directly to consumers online and in its two flagship locations in New York and Los Angeles. This week the company made…
Will Kroger’s dark kitchens cook up something good?
When customers order pre-made meals from Kroger in the future, the food might not have ever seen the inside of a Kroger. But if the hype about dark kitchens is…
Amazon decides it has sampled enough
Amazon.com is shutting down a program offering free product samples to consumers as a paid advertising service for CPG brands. Do you see sending free samples based on browsing and…
Do Black Friday mobile app downloads portend holiday season winners?
The 2019 Christmas selling season is off to a fast start, and for a growing number of Americans, researching and buying gifts begins and ends with their smartphones. Assuming there’s…
The holiday season promises many unhappy returns for retailers
More consumers than ever are buying online, which typically means reduced profit margins. The overwhelming majority of those receiving gifts plan to return at least some of them, further cutting…
Do independent liquor stores need a rehab?
A new study finds only 42 percent of owners and managers of independent liquor stores see them as viable in the long term. Do independent wine and liquor stores need…
Will Grinches steal Christmas from America’s front porch?
Consumers, retailers, third-party vendors and law enforcement are all seeking ways to cut down on package theft. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for retailers to cut losses due…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Kohl’s vs. Macy’s
Retailers across the country are prepping for the fast dash leading up to Christmas. Two of those who could really use a win at this critical time of year are…
Can Barnes & Noble afford to take it easy over the holidays?
For a long time, it has been clear that Barnes & Noble needs to do something drastic to get back on track — but the chain won’t be taking that…
Why are brands so bad at identity resolution?
According to recent research, only half of brands are capable of fundamental identity resolution, like accurately finding customers across devices, controlling their messaging frequency and sequencing and building a unified…
Why is Allbirds asking Amazon to do a better job ripping it off?
Allbirds, the sustainable footwear upstart, didn’t sue Amazon.com for making a wool sneaker that mimics one of its popular models. Instead, it is encouraging the e-tailing giant to do a…
Mobile jumps out as retailers get a mixed start to the holiday season
Thirty-nine percent of all online sales came from smartphones on Black Friday, a 21 percent increase year-over-year, according to Adobe Analytics. At the same time, 61 percent of online traffic…
Will its ‘culture of recognition’ be a game winner for Dick’s Sporting Goods?
Dick’s Sporting Goods is crediting its recent performance improvements, in part, to increased investments in employees, including the launch of an associate training program earlier this year and a heightened…
