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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
DSW’s rewards program includes ‘emotional experiences’
DSW Inc., the off-price shoe chain, launched its first tiered rewards program, packed with “compelling benefits and emotional experiences” to make it seem like it’s less about saving money. Has…
Walmart outbids Amazon for India’s Flipkart
Walmart announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to become the largest shareholder in Flipkart. With an offer of $16 billion, Walmart outbid Amazon.com, which was rumored to…
Uber isn’t going along on Walmart’s online grocery ride
Walmart’s groceries won’t be getting rides from Uber or Lyft anymore. The retailer has ended its relationship with the two companies after using them to deliver online grocery orders failed…
Dormify pops up well before back-to-school season
Dormify, the college and dorm supplies e-retailer, is opening three pop-ups well ahead of the back-to-school season. What are the major pain points college students and their parents face in…
Walmart associates check out customers on the floor in pilot program
Walmart is testing a program, “Check Out With Me,” that enables associates to check out customers in the lawn & garden sections at more than 350 U.S. stores. What do…
When Harry’s met Target and then Walmart
When Harry’s and Target announced the deal that brought the shaving product’s brand into the retailer’s stores, it was positioned as a meeting of kindred spirits. It appears, nearly two…
Starbucks and Nestle make a global coffee CPG deal
Nestle has obtained the rights to market, sell and distribute Starbucks’ consumer packaged goods and foodservice products around the world for $7.15 billion. Do you see the licensing deal between…
Shake Shack ends cashless experiment
Shake Shack said last week it was ending its test of a cashless location in lower Manhattan following customer complaints. Was being cash-only or kiosk-only likely the bigger drawback for…
What’s holding back data-driven supply chains?
A new study has found that the forecasting techniques most commonly used by wholesalers are often outdated and lack integration of more advanced data analytics. Is demand volatility caused by…
Trader Joe’s and Barneys launch podcasts
Trader Joe’s wants to explain while Barneys New York looks to inspire as each launch their first podcasts. Do you see podcasts opening a deeper level of engagement with consumers…
New Brookstone concept brings makers to the mall
Brookstone, long known at malls as a place to try and maybe even buy massage chairs, desk toys and other techie curios, is launching a new store concept to bring…
Has Victoria’s Secret become a casualty of the #MeToo movement?
According to YouGov’s BrandIndex, Victoria’s Secret’s Buzz score dropped to 23 among women aged 18-49, down from 31 in 2016. In a statement, YouGov said the lingerie chain “has found…
Fashion that wants to improve quality of life
People with disabilities shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or fashion. That is the driving principle behind the concept of adaptive clothing, which has caught the attention of designers who are…
Macy’s latest acquisition is all about STORYtelling
Macy’s announced that it has acquired STORY, an experiential concept store in New York. STORY’s founder and CEO, Rachel Shechtman, will join Macy’s as the company’s brand experience officer focused…
Do retailers need to update customer persona development?
Chico’s over the last year has developed two buyer personas: Joy, its primary customer, and Catherine, a secondary customer, that help drive its advertising, product selection, customer service efforts and…
Does Amazon need a robot?
Amazon.com is developing its first consumer robot product, and it could reach American homes as soon as early 2019, according to Bloomberg. Would Amazon benefit by coming out with a…
Whole Foods to become a Prime perk for Amazon’s customers
Those grumbling about having to pay $20 a year more to maintain their Amazon Prime subscription will soon have some additional perks to make it more worthwhile. What will be…
Will shoppers go to Walmart to buy a car?
Walmart is expanding a store-within-a-store concept that meets a customer need not generally associated with a visit to a mass merchandiser — car buying. Do you see CarSaver as enhancing…
J Sainsbury CEO’s singing hits a sour note on social media
The CEO of J Sainsbury had plenty of reasons to feel good after the announcement earlier this week on a merger with Asda. While waiting to do an interview on…
Chico’s decides to join Amazon, since it can’t beat it
Chico’s FAS is the latest large retail chain to decide that the potential benefits of selling on the Amazon.com marketplace outweigh the risks of trying to go it alone against…
Can retailers appeal to both ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ shoppers?
New research shows that 49 percent of shoppers go to a site intending to make a purchase. The remainder seeks a combination of entertainment, social engagement, discovery and experiences. How…
