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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Amazon succeed with brand sampling rooted in machine learning?
Amazon.com is experimenting with free product samples as a paid advertising service for CPG brands. Does Amazon’s free samples program hold more benefits than risks for CPG brands?
Tech lets shoppers say ‘Optimize Me’ when ordering groceries
At NRF’s “Big Show” last week, Cisco showcased a concept called “Optimize Me” within its fictitious Stop, Shop & Go store. Will optimizing a customer’s order and setting regularly ordered…
Did Gillette’s rant against toxic masculinity go too far?
Gillette’s “Me Too” movement-inspired ad, “Is this the best a man can get?,” has drawn wide praise in some corners and boycotts from others. Do you have more praise or…
For relevancy’s sake: a tale of two mall upgrades
Developers have a big stake in reinventing the shopping experience. Shopping center companies and mall operators around the world are upgrading properties to appeal to today’s shoppers. What are the…
Did regional constraints doom Shopko?
Like other retailers, Shopko blamed its trip to bankruptcy court in part on the shift away from brick-and-mortar to online, but it also cited challenges competing as a regional player…
NRF: Attendees show performance anxiety for 2019
While many retailers celebrated having one of their strongest holiday seasons in recent memory, attendees at this week’s NRF Show in New York were decidedly less cheery. What non-retail factors…
NRF: Would digital experiences be even better with a human touch?
While retailers experiment with fully digital experiences, the co-founder and CEO of MJD Interactive sees more potential in a “co-creation” model in which technology puts a retailer directly in touch…
NRF: Technologies promise to reshape fitting rooms
Retailers and their tech partners are introducing out a bunch of solutions to reinvent the fitting room experience. Do you see any one tech solution stepping up to solve the…
NRF: Is the time right for retailers and brands to take political stands?
In sessions at the NRF show in New York this week, brands explored the payback from taking stances on hot-button political and societal issues. Has it become more beneficial for…
NRF: Top retailers share cultural keys to retaining employees
In a tight labor market with little to prevent retail employees from switching companies, retailers are finding it critical to be considered a pleasant place to work. What do you…
NRF: Will grocers be ready for 2030’s smart future?
With smart homes, smart stores, smart buildings, smart shoppers and smart employees, the grocery shopping experience of 2030 promises to be — you guessed it — a smart one. …
NRF: Roving robots report for work at all Giant Foods’ stores
At NRF, the president of Giant Foods, revealed that the chain is rolling out “Marty,” a 6’3” robotic assistant, to all 172 of its stores. What do you see as…
NRF: Will success in mobile shopping depend on progressive web apps?
Mobile site load time has a big impact on conversion rates for mobile shoppers, and progressive web apps are the solution for retailers. Do you agree that mobile speed optimization…
NRF: Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly talks about what it takes to ‘be’ a great leader
In a session focusing on “leading with conviction” at the NRF, Best Buy’s CEO, Hubert Joly said “As I age, I believe that IQ is way overrated and that EQ…
NRF: Consumers prefer self-service, but associates still have a role to play
A new survey finds that U.S. consumers are looking for more convenient shopping experiences, and for many that means as little interaction with store associates as possible. Why do you…
NRF: Can retailers boost transactions with personalized receipts?
As retailers continue to experiment with new ways to personalize the e-commerce experience, there is a less obvious touchpoint that they might be overlooking — the receipt. Should more retailers…
Where is AI’s potential for personalization?
When it comes to hyper-personalization, chatbots are at the bottom of the list of the most effective AI-powered applications, which includes predictive analytics, UX design and content curation. What do…
Whole Foods halts 365 concept’s growth
Whole Foods Market will not be opening any new 365 stores because management believes the recent price cuts instituted since Amazon.com’s acquisition of the grocer have made its namesake locations…
NRF: Is video analytics the solution to ending long checkout lines?
A session yesterday at NRF’s Big Show explored how a European convenience chain has reduced wait times with the implementation of a predictive video analytics solution, which aims to stop…
NRF: What’s the next step for omnichannel grocery?
At a Sunday morning presentation at the NRF Big Show 2019, Yi Hou, VP of Alibaba and CEO of Freshippo, said omnichannel in the U.S. has too many silos dividing…
Are department stores seeing the Ghost of Christmas Future in bleak holiday results?
The spirit of Christmas present was not too kind to department stores during the 2018 holiday season as earnings reports from J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Macy’s (never mind the bah-humbugging…
