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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
How will AI transform the supply chain?
While machine learning software and artificial intelligence have arguably been used to reinvent marketing, a new survey shows that only one in three have incorporated AI capabilities into their supply…
HiO brings pop-up vibe to new store concept
If shoppers are looking for something they’ve never seen before in the brands they buy, then Brooklyn’s new HiO might have what they’re looking for. Do you agree that American…
What’s Dunkin’ without Donuts in its name?
It’s not like no one saw this coming. Dunkin’ has officially announced that it is dropping “Donuts” from its name. Will Dunkin’s name change help advance its strategy of…
Does business need more and better storytellers?
In his new book, “Five Stars: The Communication Secrets to Get From Good to Great,” Carmine Gallo explains why he doesn’t consider good communication a soft skill. Are interpersonal communication…
Peers call Levi’s CEO a retail visionary
When Chip Bergh joined Levi Strauss & Co. as its CEO in 2011, the jeans maker was far removed from its glory days. Levi’s turnaround has now earned Mr. Bergh…
Is Eddie Lampert looking to save Sears or suck it dry?
If the only responsibility of business is to make a profit within the rules of the game as Milton Friedman once wrote, then ESL Investments, the hedge fund run by…
Will AT&T give Starbucks competition as the new ‘third place’ for people to hang out?
AT&T is testing a concept meant to turn its brick-and-mortar outlets into a place for entrepreneurs, remote workers and people just to hang out – whether they’re AT&T customers or…
Hershey delivers category insights directly to retailers via tractor trailer
The Hershey Company is rolling out a tractor trailer to bring its insights directly to retail locations. Will Hershey’s roving insights trailer result in more effective category management execution at…
Are big box retailers going too small with new store concepts?
Before the age of Amazon, “big box” stores were the category killers that created the destination locations to draw the masses. Today, the big retailers are focusing on shrinking stores…
Will the White House listen to warnings from Walmart, others about tariffs?
Scores of retailers have written letters to the U.S. Trade Representative warning that the newest round of tariffs threatens the U.S. economy’s growth and will cause consumers to pay exponentially…
Amazon shows third-party sellers all the love with microsite and TV campaign
Amazon.com last week introduced Amazon Storefronts, a microsite promoting “nearly 20,000” small-to-medium sized businesses selling on the platform. Do you see Amazon Storefronts doing more to support third-party sellers or…
Will the EU’s anticompetitive investigation follow Amazon back to the U.S.?
It’s long been alleged that Amazon.com uses data from third-party sellers on its marketplace to its own advantage. Now, the European Union is investigating the allegations and the repercussions could…
Nike expects sales to take off with launch on Jet.com
Nike surprised some last year when it agreed to sell directly to Amazon.com and did it again last week when revealing a partnership with Walmart’s Jet.com. Do you see any…
Why don’t retailers concentrate more on selling the Christmas spirit?
Experiences are said to drive traffic and sales, and a new report suggests that may be even more true during the Christmas selling season. How effectively do retailers sell the…
What would 3,000 AmazonGo stores do to the U.S. retail landscape?
Amazon.com has taken a slow and steady approach to rolling out its AmazonGo cashier-less stores since opening the first location in Seattle back in January. That may soon change, however,…
Would you believe older men with lower incomes are the new drivers of online sales growth?
Online sales continue to grow at double-digit rates, and there are some new factors in play driving it — not all of which are named Amazon.com. What new e-commerce shoppers…
Amazon tries to deflect political attacks
Few individuals have earned the wrath of both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Amazon.com CEO and founder Jeff Bezos is one of them. What advice would you have for Amazon…
People don’t like being lumped into marketing segments
A new survey may provide one reason why marketers who have yet to move to individualized campaigns may want to work on those efforts rather than marketing to broader segments…
Tuft & Needle and Native knew their first products fell short
Failing fast is considered a business virtue, but that doesn’t eliminate “Huh, what?” moments when you hear the founders of brands admit that they knew that the products they first…
Are Aldi’s customers who you think they are?
Aldi has announced it is rolling out home delivery on a nationwide basis in partnership with Instacart. Are you surprised that demand for home delivery from Aldi in test markets…
Macy’s expands in-store pop-up concept with Facebook’s help
There were high hopes for “The Market @ Macy’s” when the retailer launched its turnkey in-store pop-up concept earlier this year. Now, Macy’s is adding the concept to new stores…
