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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Nordstrom Local hopes for big returns from the competition
As retailers try to woo customers with next-level convenience, they have begun introducing offerings that might have appeared to compromise their competitive edge in an earlier era. Will the traffic…
Will a loyalty program give Americans more reasons to shop at Target?
Target announced yesterday that it would roll out its new Target Circle rewards program nationwide following an 18-month test that produced “overwhelmingly positive” results. How do you think the launch…
Will others follow Starbucks’ lead on employee mental health programs?
Starbucks last week committed to investing in several initiatives focused on the mental health and wellness of its associates. Are most store managers adequately prepared to identify and refer associates…
Ace Hardware builds through acquisition in the do-it-for-me market
Ace Hardware has closed on the acquisition of Handyman Matters Franchise, a franchisor of home repair and maintenance services. What synergies do you see coming from Ace Hardware’s acquisition of…
Will Apple’s texting tool create more personalized shopping experiences at Burberry?
Burberry has partnered with Apple to roll out a new chat service, which will allow its high-value and mobile-first customers to text directly with store associates. In what ways is…
Glossier poaches Amazon exec to drive growth
Glossier, the billion-dollar Instagram-driven beauty brand, has appointed 19-year Amazon.com veteran Melissa Eamer as its COO. She will be responsible for overseeing the growth-driving parts of Glossier’s business. How might…
Would you go to Walmart to see a doctor?
Walmart is opening a health clinic called Walmart Health in Georgia that will provide comprehensive and low-cost primary care. Services also include dental, hearing tests, counseling sessions, vision and hearing…
Starbucks developing new store dedicated to pickup and delivery orders
In recent years, Starbucks added online ordering with in-store pickup and home delivery to try to manage its line problem. How important a feature will mobile order and in-store pickup…
Is virtual training better than real-life role-playing?
Reporters from The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times recently simulated firing a virtual employee to explore how well virtual reality (VR) works as a training tool for…
Whole Foods wants a hand from shoppers at checkout
If Amazon implements its latest high-tech checkout innovation at Whole Foods, customers won’t need to pull out a credit card — a wave of the hand will do the trick…
Will Jockey inspire brand loyalty with its very first pop-up shop?
Jockey International, the premium underwear and apparel brand, announced that it will open its first-ever pop-up shop at Simon’s edit @ Roosevelt Field space, which provides a showcase primarily for…
Will stores help Vitamin Shoppe stand out in crowded supplement subscription market?
The Vitamin Shoppe announced it is moving into the crowded supplement subscription market with the launch of Only Me, a program that delivers a tailored mix of vitamins and supplements…
Will Walmart’s customers accept its rejection of the firearms ‘status quo’?
Walmart will, as a precaution, discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition, once the company has fulfilled its current obligations with suppliers. Do you think retailers are compelled to take steps…
Will miniature Meijers be a big hit?
Now one of the biggest names in Midwest grocery has announced the launch of a second small concept store in one of its major Michigan markets. Will launching small, urban,…
Simple answers to fix retail’s loyalty marketing mess
As we continue to observe loyalty programs across multiple sectors, time and again we see failures that can readily be solved. What do see as some common shortcomings in the…
Will Lowe’s score with its ‘homegating’ game plan?
Lowe’s will sell NFL-branded merchandise online and reserve space in select stores for fan merchandise geared to local teams for the first time, and launch an online “homegating” video series…
Walmart and BuzzFeed deliver shoppable recipes
Walmart has partnered with BuzzFeed’s Tasty video site for “shoppable” recipes. Users browsing Tasty’s 4,000 online recipes can add the necessary ingredients to their cart and check out with Walmart…
Will H&M’s ambassador program turn employees into social influencers?
H&M has selected 15 employees to lead its first employee ambassador program in the U.S. What do you think of H&M’s plan to use employees as influencers as well as…
Social media antics cause grief at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, others
Difficult customers are nothing new, but social media creators are now seeking to cause trouble in retail stores for the purpose of getting attention on YouTube and other social media…
Target leans on vendors in trade war
Target has sent a letter to suppliers insisting they absorb any costs related to increased tariffs on Chinese-made product. Is Target making a wise move in insisting that suppliers absorb…
Costco’s first day in China gets wild
The increasingly acrimonious U.S./China trade war didn’t seem to have an impact on the opening of Costco’s first store in China earlier this week. In fact, the first location was…
