RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Amazon delivers latest Prime perk to Whole Foods’ curb
Amazon Prime members across the country may soon have a new way to get their groceries. The company announced it is rolling out grocery curbside pickup at Whole Foods in…
Can retail compete for computer science graduates?
A blog entry from the National Retail Federation (NRF) spelled out four reasons college graduates with computer science degrees should consider a job at retail in today’s tight labor market…
Fred’s amps up the treasure hunt
Fred’s, the deep-discount retailer in the southeast, has launched a new treasure hunt concept, “Fred’s Closeout Bonanza,” that drops prices throughout the week until all the items are gone. Do…
Where does art end and retail begin?
It’s not unusual for visitors at an art museum to wonder what an artist was thinking in creating a particular work. But a new exhibit at the Whitney Museum of…
Starbucks prepares for a Bitcoin future
Starbucks is not jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, not just yet. Reports last week that Starbucks is ready to begin accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment were a tad…
Kroger takes on Visa
In a battle over swipe fees, Kroger will stop accepting Visa credit cards at 21 of its Foods Co. supermarkets and five gas stations in California starting August 14. Is…
Walmart looks to automate grocery pick-up
Walmart is piloting a new robotics system that fills customers’ online grocery orders from the backroom of a supercenter. Do you see a system like Alphabot solving many of the…
Are outsiders required to tackle disruption?
An article from Forbes detailed how a number of retailers are making executive hires outside their sector or even industry to bring a fresh perspective to managing the ongoing digital…
Empty malls spelled the end for Brookstone stores
Brookstone has once again declared that it is heading into Chapter 11 and closing its 101 mall-based stores. Is Brookstone’s failure more a story about the plight of malls or…
Will in-home 3D scanner drive online clothing sales?
A startup has created a 3D body scanner for home use. The device, known as Naked, includes a full-length 3-D scanning smart mirror with a connected scale and mobile app…
Is Target making the right move in dumping C9 Champion?
C9 Champion has cemented itself as Target’s go-to activewear staple since being launched in 2004. Yet by July 2020, C9 will be off Target’s selling floors. Do you see more…
Wayfair to open its first brick & mortar store
Wayfair, the largest online furniture retailer in the U.S. is opening its first brick and mortar store. Does the decision by Wayfair to open an outlet store amount to an…
Who in retailing’s c-suites should drive customer experience?
A new report now finds that responsibility for the customer experience is more likely to sit with the CMO than with any other role. What’s the best way to align CX…
Six-year-old YouTuber is the face of Walmart’s new toy line
A big part of influencer marketing is about tapping into younger audiences through figures they connect with. So, Walmart has partnered with a six-year-old YouTube star to court the post-toddler…
Zara bets on faster deliveries from stores to boost online growth
Zara has grown its business into an international powerhouse by quickly responding to the ever-changing preferences of consumers. Now, it is turning to fulfilling online orders from its stores. Will…
Kroger Ship to take on Amazon’s Prime Pantry
Kroger announced today the launch of “Kroger Ship,” a new delivery program for shelf-stable grocery products that appears to be an answer to similar services from Amazon.com (Prime Pantry) and…
Publix takes on service dog tag abuse
Publix is posting new in-store signage indicating that only service dogs or other animals helping with disabilities are permitted in the store. Do you see more benefits than risks to…
Walmart still trying to figure out home delivery
Walmart, like many other retailers, is still trying to work out how to meet the home delivery needs of its customers without losing money in the process. How can retailers…
What can retailers do about consumer’s AI concerns?
While consumers are more aware of artificial intelligence through chatbots, voice assistants and intelligent homes, they’re also confused and wary about the technology. Do you see fears over artificial intelligence…
Can Tesco beat Aldi and Lidl at their own game?
Concern over increased competition from grocery discounters like Aldi and Lidl seems to be a big factor pushing Tesco to open its own low-price concept. Is launching a discount concept…
Will RadioShack find new life inside HobbyTown’s stores?
In yet another comeback attempt, RadioShack plans to install RadioShack Express “store-within-a-store” shops inside select locations of HobbyTown, the hobby and toy franchisor. Do in-store shops make more sense for…
