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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Retailers: Beware the Equifax breach
False account creation and account takeovers are the biggest issues retailers will have to tackle in the wake of the Equifax security breach, which occurred from mid-May through July. In…
Kitchen 1883 may be a new platform for Kroger’s growth
Kroger, the largest operator of supermarkets in the U.S., see an opportunity to grow its share of the food business with a new restaurant concept, Kitchen 1883, which it bills…
Do retailers need teen consultants to really understand Gen Z?
The Minnesota Vikings are used to working with young men. The team’s latest hire, however, is younger than any of its recent draft picks or free agents. He’s 18-year-old Jonah…
Will Postmates’ on-demand delivery work better as a subscription model?
Hoping greater volume makes up for any lost margin, Postmates, the on-demand delivery app, last week made it much easier for members of its $9.99-a-month subscription model to gain free…
Millennials, not Boomers, say associates are key to shopping experiences
In a twist on conventional wisdom, younger consumers with their tech-centric ways find associates to be more important — by a wide margin —over older shoppers. Why do younger consumers…
Nike customizes shoes for ‘sneakerheads’ in under an hour
Sneaker customization is a growing trend. Now Nike is offering a limited number of enthusiasts the chance to try out a new, fast form of customization technology. Will Nike change…
Will exclusive nutrition labels set Raley’s apart from rivals?
Raley’s, the regional food retailer headquartered in West Sacramento, CA, has developed its own nutritional hang tags to provide greater transparency to consumers at the shelf. Will Raley’s eight-icon Shelf…
Is BOPIS degrading the in-store experience?
What if all the BOPIS (buy online, pickup in-store) distraction is really saying the in-store experience isn’t worth your time? Is touting the ease and value of in-store pickup ultimately…
Survey says grocery has reached its digital tipping point
Grocery shoppers are making decisions on what they are going to buy before they get to the store and their choices are increasingly influenced by their online and mobile experiences,…
Kmart ditches plus sizes for ‘fabulously sized’ clothing
Kmart wants female consumers to know that it is all about positive body image. That’s the message the mass merchant hopes is getting through with its decision to rename its…
Nordstrom tries a no-merchandise store
Nordstrom announced plans to launch a new inventory-free concept store that it envisions as a neighborhood gathering spot where customers can go for free personal styling consultations, to try on…
Gap Inc. leans more heavily on Old Navy and Athleta
Even within the troubled world of brick-and-mortar apparel retail, Gap Inc. has been notable for its struggles in recent years. Now the clothing retailer is closing a significant number of…
Artificial intelligence makes brand personalities come to life
Artificial intelligence is reinventing the creative landscape for marketers. One big leap: Brands are no longer merely seen as objects, but entities with personalities that can interact dynamically with people…
Will lower everyday prices boost Target’s traffic and sales?
On Friday, Target said it had lowered prices on “thousands of items, from cereal and paper towels to baby formula, razors, bath tissue and more” in a move to reinforce…
Professor says price gouging is simple supply and demand at work
By Saturday afternoon, Florida’s Attorney General Office had received more than 8,000 complaints of price gouging tied to Hurricane Irma. But are artificially inflated prices only following the basic laws…
Dr Pepper targets a digital promo to Walmart’s customers
This summer at Walmart stores, thirsty soft drink shoppers visited a microsite online, uploaded their receipts and earned rewards such as a Dr Pepper-branded pool float. Do you expect online…
Will CVS’ sales take off in airports?
The headline on a CVS Pharmacy press release claims the drugstore chain is thinking “outside the box” with its newest tactic to drive sales of over-the-counter remedies. The solution is…
‘Okay Google, I want to order from Home Depot’
Google is on a retail roll. Home Depot announced it will join Google Express this fall with shoppers being able to place voice orders using Google Assistant with the tech…
Burger King goes all crypto with its own currency
Virtual currencies have been big news for years in the tech world. Now, the Russian wing of one of the world’s biggest fast food chains is trying to cash in…
Is Kohl’s giving away the store to Amazon?
Kohl’s has announced the opening of Amazon smart home experience shops inside 10 stores in the Chicago and Los Angeles markets next month. Is Kohl’s making a good or bad…
Should retailers rent fans to create buzz for their businesses?
A startup, Surkus, claims to remove the friction from attracting buzz around a new store opening, special event, concert or other situation in which drawing crowd is necessary to success…
