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The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: H&M vs. Gap
In their respective ads, H&M and Ga take approaches as different as their clothing lines, but they share a common denominator: both tap hot R&B talent. Which spot do you…
Dollar General is betting on the continuing decline of the middle class
Business Insider states, “Dollar stores’ sales grow as more Americans struggle economically, with retailers betting on a ‘permanent underclass in America.’” Should more retailers start to target America’s poorest consumers…
Will mobile move the needle for J. Crew – this holiday and beyond?
As we continue on toward Christmas, a once popular mall apparel brand hopes to succeed during the holidays and beyond by doubling down on digital. What sort of steps will…
What can retailers do to prevent sexual harassment?
The sexual harassment scandals in Hollywood and Capitol Hill are but a visible proxy for what has long gone on in many other workplaces. Is sexual harassment as much a…
Which off-price retailers will withstand the test of time?
Many off-price retail chains are reporting same-store sales declines for 2017, leading MarketWatch to question whether off-price retailers are beginning to “cannibalize themselves” as a result of declining customer interest…
Subscription services are moving beyond just being surprise boxes
As more subscription box services saturate the market, several companies are moving beyond curating based on a quick personality quiz in efforts to remain relevant and top-of-mind. How should…
Can brands hit a hole-in-one with urban golf apparel?
When we think of urban athleisure wear, we might think of yoga, pilates or running. Golf doesn’t usually come to mind. But one of the biggest names in athletic apparel…
Does Everlane need to open stores?
In 2012, Michael Preysman, founder of Everlane, the cult online apparel upstart, vowed to The New York Times that he would “shut the company down before we go to physical…
Should marketers personalize products using consumers’ DNA?
According to a study from the University of South Carolina, marketers will soon be able to derive “hyper-personalized” shopper recommendations from internal biomarkers such as saliva, breath and blood samples…
Barnes & Noble wants to get smaller, more bookish
Barnes & Noble originated in 1886 as a small bookstore named Arthur Hinds & Company located in the Cooper Union Building in New York City. Known more now for big…
Will click & collect finally compel retailers to remodel stores?
Some repercussions of omnichannel’s impact on stores can be predicted and others you have to live through. This holiday season is expected to be the highest volume click & collect…
What is increased mobile holiday traffic doing for sales?
The data coming out about the first leg of the holiday season is beginning to reveal insights about the changing way people shop. What exactly they say about mobile commerce,…
Target is the early star of Christmas – online
On Target’s third-quarter earnings call last month, CEO Brian Cornell expressed optimism about the retailer’s prospects for the holidays. Wall Street, however, was not impressed with the chain’s raised forecast…
It’s good to be Home Depot
Home Depot’s shares are at an all-time high as the home improvement retailer has been buoyed by a continuing strong housing market and its investments in digital operations and elsewhere…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge Global Edition – Asda vs. Lidl
With Lidl, the German hard discount grocery chain, now going head-to-head with Walmart in the U.S. market, we thought it would be interesting to match the two in this week’s…
Will a combo of data and personal stylists drive online apparel sales?
As with other subscription services, Allume promises to offer curated apparel choices for its users based on their styling preferences. But this personal shopping service goes further by matching users…
Are staff shortages affecting retail sales?
Stores that were designed to run on six employees are now limping along on two. How do store operations personnel know when they’ve cut past the fat and into the…
Tech tries to end the annoying search for mall parking spots
Malls around the country are introducing a host of high-tech solutions to help manage the annoying chore of parking. Where are the biggest opportunities for technology to improve parking at…
Can retailers keep their holiday sales mojo working after Cyber Monday?
The Christmas selling season is off to a flying start. Traffic and spending between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday exceeded even the most positive of forecasts. What will retailers do to…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Amazon vs. Walmart
Much of the press coverage around the retail industry this year has centered around the competition between Amazon.com and Walmart. With the Christmas selling season underway, even more attention will…
Encouraging signs for department stores as holiday season kicks off
While much of the shade directed at department stores is deserved, some have seen some encouraging signs for their businesses in the days since Thanksgiving, according to reports. Do…
