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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is last minute absenteeism playing havoc with retail store performance?
Retailers are understaffed 25 percent of the time due to last-minute absenteeism, according to a survey from Kronos. What tech and non-tech solutions to do see helping retailers minimize and…
Will displaying produce by season set a new grocery concept apart from rivals?
At the new Natoora store concept in the U.K., customers can expect the vegetables to be broken out into many more categories than a traditional — or even an organic…
What’s missing from everyday fashion rental subscription services?
The major problem for online fashion rental may be the vague little whisper that says, “You don’t own these.” Do you think consumers are changing their notions about ownership and…
Is 7-Eleven using ICE to get rid of troublesome franchisees?
Did 7-Eleven tip off ICE about illegal immigrants working at stores run by franchisees who were critical of the convenience store and its CEO? Assuming Bloomberg’s reporting is accurate, has…
Visually rich social content produces ‘shoppable’ experiences for retailers
Visually oriented platforms, led for now by Instagram, are helping retailers generate traffic, brand awareness and more sales on social channels. Are Instagram and similar visual platforms the future of…
Will right-sized stores drive bigger returns for Macy’s?
Macy’s is reducing space and merchandise in stores with lower sales to increase its productivity on a per square foot basis. The stores will also emphasize customer self-service in footwear…
Do grocery stores have a customer engagement problem?
Consumers are making significantly fewer trips to grocery stores these days, now that they have other options ranging from alternative store formats to online same-day delivery and subscription services. What…
Walmart puts AI to the test in an in-store lab
Walmart is opening a laboratory inside a small Walmart in Levittown, NY to see how AI can be used to identify low stocks on shelves, when items are on the…
Is it time for U.S. retailers to embrace Singles Day?
Singles Day, essentially China’s equivalent of Black Friday, crushed previous sales records yesterday as the promotional event spread to more countries, including the U.S. Do you see Singles Day becoming a regular shopping…
Amazon and Apple get co-opetitive
Amazon is approving the sale of the latest iPad Pro, iPhone and Apple Watch models by authorized resellers rather than just through the third-party marketplace, according to TechCrunch. The move represents yet another shift in the push/pull…
Why do Millennials love private label groceries so much?
According to a new report, store brand dollar share in grocery is expected to hit a record high of 18.4 percent in 2018 and reach 25 percent over the next…
Can retail rivals beat Amazon without having lower prices over the holidays?
A new research study shows that when it comes to the lowest prices online, Amazon.com is the winner more often than not. Are low prices more or less important in…
Retailers need to focus on customer lifetime value for long-term success
A strong case for customer lifetime value was made by Peter Fader, professor of marketing at The Wharton School, and Neil Hoyne, head of customer analytics for Google, during the…
Why are Wall Street analysts so irked over Apple’s reporting changes?
Apple is getting an earful after it announced it would stop breaking out unit sales and ASPs for iPhones as well as for Macs and other product lines. What do…
Will Walmart’s bring your own device policy work for it and its associates?
Walmart has rolled out a Bring Your Own Device program that loads its suite of custom-built apps on associate’s smartphones to help them do their jobs on selling floors. Do…
CVS’ new concept is about the health of its customers
CVS has been clear that its primary focus is that of a provider of health services and products. Now the drugstore chain is looking to bring that concept to life…
What will Instacart’s new grocery pickup service mean for home delivery?
Instacart has announced the rollout of a new click and collect service that it plans to take nationwide in 2019. Do you read anything into the rollout of Instacart Pickup…
What are the omnichannel challenges facing e-tailers opening stores?
How are omnichannel challenges different for online natives integrating new physical stores versus traditional brick & mortars integrating online operations?
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Kohl’s vs. Macy’s
Week one of the RW Christmas Commercial Challenge pits Kohl’s versus Macy’s with the rivals having taken decidedly different approaches. Which do you think does a better job of connecting…
Has food waste become mission critical for grocers’ bottom lines and the planet?
The financial advantages of cutting fresh spoilage are well-documented. But does corporate responsibility end with the spreadsheet or do grocers have a second set of responsibilities? How can grocers best…
Why aren’t women buying Amazon’s private label clothing?
Amazon’s private label women’s apparel doesn’t seem to be giving other clothing retailers as much trouble as some experts have projected. Do you agree that Amazon’s struggling private label women’s…
