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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is CGI Hollywood’s gift to retail?
Hollywood turned to computer generated imagery to not only dazzle audiences, but as a practical solution to creating settings and characters that are impractical to accomplish by traditional means. Retailers are now doing the same. How…
How personal can Target’s customer service get?
Target has been making big investments in its team — a strategic shift that Target CEO Brian Cornell, speaking at a keynote session at ShopTalk in Las Vegas, called one…
Albertsons launches an online marketplace for small CPG brands
Albertsons is looking to give small consumer packaged goods brands a boost, announcing the launch of a digital marketplace where smaller companies can sell and ship their food and over-the-counter…
Does #MeToo offer a culture-building opportunity?
Citing the need to support its culture, Nike last week dismissed two executives amid workforce complaints. What lessons should retailers be taking from the #MeToo movement?
Macy’s CEO discusses mobile checkouts and other planned changes
In a keynote session at Shoptalk in Las Vegas, Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette announced some significant changes and upgrades coming in 2018 meant to build on the company’s momentum from…
Will it always be about price for Gen Z?
In a session at Shoptalk in Las Vegas, Lynn Gillis, principal at IRI, presented some insights into the shopping habits of Generation Z which could inform brands and retailers hoping…
Retailers differ on the value of location analytics
RSR’s first benchmark on location analytics in retail showed that retailers across different verticals, performance and size all agree that “more targeted marketing” is essential to their future well-being. What…
West Elm sees opportunity to sell local experiences outside its stores
West Elm, the home furnishings chain, has launched a program that invites customers to experiences outside the store to learn from local craftsmen about woodwork, metalwork, indigo dying and other…
What’s the next leap for user generated content?
At Canon, 80 percent of its web and social content is reportedly now user generated content. To increase the quality of that content, Canon has brought its social media team…
Partnership gives a free Lyft to pharmacy customers
Two of the biggest names in pharmacy are partnering with an insurance company and a ride sharing startup, not to bring medicine to people who need it, but to bring…
Amazon/Whole Foods planning store pickup service from third-party retailers
Amazon.com wants to negate one advantage that rivals have — store pickup. The e-tailing giant is looking to offer a pickup service that will not only include orders from the…
Survey says ‘retail is retail’ no matter where the sale is made
Online, mobile, in-store — it’s all the same as far as consumers are concerned, according to retailers survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Forrester. Does the reality at…
Consumers say gender roles have changed. Why hasn’t advertising?
Three in four Americans believe that traditional gender roles have changed, but advertising isn’t keeping pace with expectations for gender inclusivity, according to a study from Omnicom Media Group (OMG)…
No more playing around – Toys ‘R’ Us is out of the retail game
Toys “R” Us chairman and CEO Dave Brandon spoke of a brighter future where the company would be in a better position to deal with a debt load of $5…
GreenWise Market won’t name drop Publix anymore
As Publix expands its organic/natural concept, GreenWise Market, it will no longer count on customers recognizing the Publix name to get them in the door. Is it a good move…
Chef’d has a different recipe for growing its meal kit business
With consumer behavior in grocery shifting from ingredient purchasing to meal purchasing, Chef’d is working with major brands and retailers to serve as the “buy button” for recipe kits on…
What does Ring mean for Amazon?
Amazon.com in late February acquired Ring, a maker of internet-connected doorbells and cameras, for about $1.1 billion. What do you think was behind Amazon’s acquisition of Ring?
IKEA offers sanity-saving furniture assembly solution
How many people does it take to assemble a piece of furniture from IKEA? The answer to that question now appears to be only one — at least in the…
Walmart goes big, goes nationwide with online grocery deliveries
By the end of the year, more than 40 percent of all U.S. households will be able to have groceries delivered to their door as Walmart expands the service across…
Will return bans burn retailers that impose them?
Some retailers including Best Buy are turning to third-party vendors to track and limit the amount of merchandise accepted as returns. Do you think that retailers using in-house or third-party…
Will department stores regret their off-price push?
As more retailers follow the Macy’s Backstage, Nordstrom Rack and Kohl’s off-price model, expect more stores to become lands of misfit clothes. Will their off-price pursuits ultimately help or hurt…
