RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Google’s real-time translation tech could be huge
Google’s wireless Pixel Buds are reported to offer instant translations between 40 different languages. How might real-time translation technology affect communication in the years ahead?
Have retailers killed off Black Friday?
Black Friday is not the big deal it used to be. That’s according to new research, which finds a dwindling percentage of Americans plan to shop on the day that…
Can AR trigger TRU’s turnaround?
In the wake of its bankruptcy declaration, Toys “R” Us is rolling out a new augmented reality (AR) app that it hopes will help revive the chain. Will focusing on…
Retailers lack of trust undermines predictive personalization’s potential
Predictive personalization’s greatest pitfall is retailers themselves. Why? Because they don’t trust the technology. Does personalization have a trust issue in retail? What advice would you have for technology providers…
Has Amazon really saved Whole Foods from its ‘Whole Paycheck’ trap?
Amazon.com made clear from the outset of its acquisition of Whole Foods that it planned to lower the chain’s prices. Whole Foods has used the publicity around its lower prices…
Can retailers be healthcare disruptors?
For minor health conditions and “everyday” healthcare, retailers are turning the tables. In-store clinics are rewriting the rules on how to deliver consumer-centered healthcare. Is retail well positioned to offer…
Thrive Market co-founder: ‘Data and storytelling go hand in hand’
Thrive Market isn’t just a pure play e-tailer. It’s a social experiment that combines e-commerce with an authentic commitment to social change, according to the company’s co-founder and chief strategy…
Walmart deal shows it’s serious about same-day delivery
Today’s news that Walmart has acquired Parcel, a same-day delivery service based in Brooklyn, NY, is an acknowledgement that there are plenty of people who want online orders delivered to…
Empowered employees separate Zumiez from the competition
Last week at the B. Riley 3rd Annual Consumer Conference, Chris Work, CFO of Zumiez, noted that three out of four key factors that separate the chain from competitors involve…
Will Uniqlo find success with its denim-only concept shop?
Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo may be going niche as it continues to seek its place in the U.S. apparel landscape. The chain is opening a new concept focused entirely on…
IKEA buys TaskRabbit to give consumers relief with furniture assembly
Marking its first investment in the on-demand space, IKEA agreed to acquire the popular gig-economy startup, TaskRabbit. What do you see IKEA gaining from its acquisition of TaskRabbit?
Could retail workers benefit from implanted microchips?
SCDigest has reported several times over the past few years about the small but growing interest in having one or more RFID chips or similar technology implanted in one’s body…
Is the time right for Kroger to go hyper-local?
Kroger recently launched a new website, Kroger.Com/WeAreLocal, to more loudly broadcast its local goods and invite more local suppliers to work with the grocery giant. What do you think of…
Jet.com is stepping out of Walmart’s shadow
Walmart spent $3.3 billion to acquire Jet.com a little more than a year ago. Now, the e-tailer is making moves that its management believes will distinguish it from its parent…
How can grocers improve their digital experiences?
According to a new Deloitte survey, only 31 percent of grocery shoppers indicate that digital makes grocery shopping easier versus 42 percent across other retail categories. How is digital discovery…
Personalization works. Why don’t more marketers use it?
Consumers open e-mails with personalized subject lines at a 50 percent higher rate than those without, yet only two percent of e-mails employ personalization, according to findings from Yes Lifecycle…
Macy’s counts on new rewards program
Macy’s hopes a new, simplified customer loyalty program will help generate higher sales in its stores and on macys.com. Will the reinvention of Macy’s Star Rewards program along with other…
Burger King buses in customers in need of a Whopper fix
In Brussels, Belgium, Burger King launched a branded bus service that picks up customers throughout the capital city and takes them to the only Burger King location there. Does the…
Will a window to Disneyland bring Disney fans to the mall?
Disney’s theme parks offer unique, immersive experiences, but that hasn’t kept Disney’s retail stores from experiencing the same pains as most other mall-based retailers. To address its challenges, the company…
Will customers let Walmart deliver in-fridge?
When we talk about the last mile of delivery, we generally think of getting product to a customer’s front door. But with a new smart home grocery delivery pilot, Walmart…
Should shorter lines for the iPhone 8 concern Apple?
While industry watchers offered numerous explanations, the tech community was still surprised by the small crowds supporting last Friday’s launch of the iPhone 8. Are long iPhone launch lines still…
