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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
What will happen now that Five Below has gone above $5?
Five Below has started selling some products for more than $5. The expansion was marked by the introduction of a new “Cool Stuff. $1-to-$5-to-$10” logo and a “We owe you…
Will a purpose-driven site do good for Zappos?
Zappos announced the launch of Goods for Good, a site featuring over 150 eco- and socially-conscious brands. How would you rate the appeal of a platform featuring purpose-driven brands such…
Dunkin’ introduces online holiday pop-up
Dunkin’ last week launched its first-ever online pop-up shop, offering an array of “Dunkin’-ized” holiday gifts that can’t be purchased anywhere else. Do concepts such as Dunkin’s online-only holiday pop-up…
Is the environment Amazon’s Achilles heel or opportunity?
Regardless of views on climate change, what is undeniable is that shipping multiple low-value items in different packages to the same address creates more waste. Would Amazon benefit from doing…
Walmart has a too much grocery problem
Grocery now accounts for 56 percent of Walmart’s dollar sales in the U.S., but while grocery drives traffic and incremental sales, it also comes with low margins, particularly when coupled…
Should customers just be paid for their data?
In light of rising security failures, more calls are being heard for businesses to tangibly pay customers for their data. Is paying consumers for their data a realistic goal?
Shoptalk makes a statement with a conference featuring only women speakers
In an industry in which male executives regularly refer to their customers using feminine pronouns, relatively few women have risen to positions of power within retail. Now comes news from…
Is ‘OK Boomer’ a merchandising opportunity?
The phrase “OK Boomer” comes from Gen-Zers posting it on TikTok, and Twitter as a retort to older generations being condescending to them. It becomes controversial when used to call…
Are mixed reality apps set to skyrocket?
Mixed reality apps will be the next big thing in consumer technology if a new study’s predictions are accurate. How can retailers and brands use mixed reality apps to drive…
Retail apocalypse? How about a disruptor meltdown?
Digitally-native vertical brands attract vast amounts of venture capital and wreak havoc with sales and margins of industry incumbents. Yet, a significant number of these businesses are looking likely to…
What happens now that Nike has called off its deal with Amazon?
In 2017, Nike hoped to reduce counterfeits and increase sales when it signed a pilot deal with Amazon. The benefits evidently weren’t enough. What will the end of Nike’s deal…
Study: Consumers don’t enjoy doing their holiday shopping online
Almost everybody shops online during the holidays, but less than half are happy with the experience and it’s a problem that is growing year-over-year, according to a new study. What…
What’s in store for retail in 2020?
The year 2019 has certainly been an interesting one for retail. In 2020, we can expect the market to be influenced heavily by emerging technologies. Here we look at five…
Amazon confirms it will open a grocery store not named Whole Foods
A new report confirmed by Amazon reveals that it will open a grocery store in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles next year. The posting suggests that the store…
Are meal planning services a missed opportunity for brands and stores?
Digital storytelling and branded content are becoming increasingly important to major CPG companies as more American consumers are turning to mobile apps and online. Where are the obvious and less…
Why is Trader Joe’s hiding stuffed animals in its stores?
Last week, People magazine profiled Trader Joe’s practice of hiding stuffed animals in most of its stores for kids to find and earn prizes. What do you think of Trader…
Did social media spook Party City’s Halloween sales?
Party City said sales during the Halloween selling period came in lower than expected due to “two fundamental shifts” in the marketplace. Does it make sense that social media is…
Express Launches digital-first DTC wellness brand
Express has launched a digital-focused, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand. Called UpWest, the “purpose-driven lifestyle” brand focuses on “comfort” with a wellness message and give-back component. Are there many advantages for legacy…
Gap Inc.’s CEO steps down. What comes next?
Art Peck is out as president and CEO of Gap Inc. The company’s board made the announcement after its three major chains — Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy —…
Will ‘HoliDeals’ put Target over the top for the holidays?
With fewer calendar days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, Target, like its major retailing rivals, is looking to get a quick start to the 2019 holiday selling season with…
Ralph Lauren offers consumers a DIY counterfeit-checking tool
Ralph Lauren Corp. on Tuesday launched Digital Product Identities, which enables consumers to use their mobile phones to verify the authenticity of Ralph Lauren merchandise. Do you see advancements in…
