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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
What are retailers missing about building a workplace culture?
One of the big challenges in the business world today is developing a collaborative and productive workplace culture. Organizations are beginning to discover that interpersonal relationships are key. What advice…
Starbucks to close shops for racial bias training
Earlier this week, Starbucks announced that it would close all 8,000 of its company-operated stores in the U.S. on the afternoon of May 29 to conduct a training session intended…
What makes a great loyalty marketing professional?
When launching a new loyalty initiative and identifying talent to run it, many try to heap more work onto a current marketing associate. But the individual assigned loyalty program management…
How will Amazon replace Whole Foods’ rewards program?
Here today, gone — maybe not tomorrow, but pretty soon. That’s the story of Whole Foods’ rewards program. Members received an email earlier this week announcing that, “A change is…
Honoring women
The June cover story in Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer magazine will be about outstanding women in our industry and company cultures that support their success. Warren Thayer claims it’s his fault…
Best Buy and Amazon expand their coopetition
Best Buy and Amazon.com are banding together in an exclusive deal that will have Best Buy selling Amazon’s Fire TV Edition smart TVs in its stores and becoming a merchant on…
Who will fill the retailing void left by Toys ‘R’ Us?
With Toys “R” Us exiting, Tim Hall, CEO of analytics startup Simporter and a former Hasbro executive, believes grocery stores could be well positioned to pick up the missing volume. Which…
Has Google found a formula for undercutting Amazon’s product search advantage?
Google recently introduced Shopping Actions, a program that enables retailers to list products across Google Search, the Google Express shopping service and the Google Assistant app for smartphones and smart…
Does Walmart need to keep Jet.com around?
Over the past year-and-a-half, industry watchers have kept an eye on Jet to see if Walmart remains committed to the site. A recent Bloomberg report raises questions on that very…
Meijer works to keep up with Kroger and Walmart with ‘Shop & Scan’ tech
Meijer is looking to improve the shopping experience with the rollout of a smartphone app that will speed customers through the checkout process. “Shop & Scan,” enables customers to scan…
Can food halls become retail’s new anchors?
According to a new report for the retail real estate developer, Cushman & Wakefield, the U.S. will have 300 food halls by 2020, up from 70 currently. Do see the…
Dyson believes in showroom stores
The Dyson flagship showroom store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is a product playhouse for appliance lovers and hair dryer fanatics. Is the Dyson showroom model of low inventory, high experience…
Brands find unexpected opportunities to reach next-gen customers
Recent start-ups are connecting with Millennials and Gen Z in ways that might shock and impress traditional chain store owners. The ability to adapt to trends before one’s competitors is…
Backstage shops star inside Macy’s
Doubters have questioned the strategic branding value of Macy’s placing its Backstage off-price shops in its full-price department stores. Even so, the chain is pushing on with the concept. Are…
Will electric vehicles prove a bane or a boon for c-stores and energy drinks?
As electric cars have grown in technical sophistication and popularity, some ask if convenience stores will be a casualty, and even the beverage brands that depend on them. What will…
REI lifts the sustainability bar
REI has introduced rigorous product sustainability standards that apply to each of the more than 1,000 brands sold at the co-op. Is REI going too far with its sustainability requirements…
Is product discovery now the biggest pain point for mobile buys?
A new study has found that product discovery has leaped ahead of payment complexities as the leading inhibitor holding back mobile purchases. What do you think of the potential of…
No site comes close to Amazon for Gen Z
The 35th semi-annual “Taking Stock with Teens” survey shows that teenage members of Gen Z have both increased their purchasing and time online. What shopping habits do you expect teens…
Will a mobile game and free pizza combo deliver sales for Domino’s?
Pizza is a video game fan’s cuisine of choice. And for members of Domino’s loyalty program, it could mean free pizza. Is enabling customers to earn points and eventually free…
Walmart slows push to add third-party sellers to its online marketplace
As Walmart was posting quarterly online sales gains of 50 percent or more last year, the company often mentioned added SKUs as a factor in its success. Many of those…
What makes a successful retail CEO?
People who aspire to become CEO must deliver strong results along the way, show leadership ability and have the emotional intelligence to embrace the softer side of the business. What…
