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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Levi’s virtual stylist put more online shoppers into its jeans?
Anyone who has shopped for Levi’s jeans lately knows that the brand offers an ever-expanding selection of variations on the basic theme of denim. To help e-commerce customers navigate the…
Do independent retailers need a marketing plan?
Many independent retailers have never considered a marketing plan unless they had to file for an SBA loan. If you don’t have a marketing plan, you really haven’t focused your…
Do grocers need to reset the center store?
Many grocers are dedicating more space to healthier options, including wholesome prepared meals, private labels and in-store dining, all of which crowd out national brands in the middle aisle. What…
Are new, exclusive toys key to Walmart’s Christmas success?
It’s never too early to talk about Christmas as the season seemingly creeps up earlier every year. Yesterday, Walmart made the start of its season official with its annual release…
Five pain points grocers must address to survive in an Amazon/Whole Foods world
Grocery was renowned as a thin margin high volume category, struggling to leverage m/e-commerce profitably. Then Amazon.com acquired Whole Foods Market. Do you agree that traditional grocers must make big…
Will AI mimicry ruin online user-generated reviews?
Researchers at the University of Chicago have trained a neural network, or artificial intelligence (AI) system, to write fake reviews. Are AI-generated reviews a bigger threat to the credibility and…
Will burger and fitness partnerships reinforce Hy-Vee’s mission?
While many larger retailers are partnering with digital start-ups, Hy-Vee has formed separate partnerships with Wahlburgers Restaurants and Orangetheory Fitness. Do you see more potential benefits or risks from these…
Does Amazon Books need coffee?
Amazon Books on Tuesday in New York City opened its 11th location, its third selling coffee. The coffee space, located in a connecting room adjacent to the book store, is…
Does e-commerce need 3-D shopping?
One Australian startup is introducing a graphical online marketplace that promises to bring the “tangible, holistic shopping experience” that’s missing from online shopping. Given its momentum, does online retailing need…
Is Selfridges anachronistic or retail’s ticket to recovery?
As legacy brick and mortar retailers continue to be battered by the likes of Amazon, we thought it might be instructive to take a look at the history of Selfridges,…
Are fashion trends moving too fast for retail?
With the influence of mobile and social media pushing styles in and out of fashion at a breakneck pace, some retailers are admitting that they aren’t able to catch up…
Is outsourcing a better option for in-home tech help?
While Amazon and Best Buy have started up services that send employees out on-site to help set up smart TVs or install and configure IoT services, some big tech companies…
Funko creates a brick-and-mortar home for Pop figures
Licensed entertainment properties are big business these days. One of the most popular forms in which fans are finding their favorite characters from across the pop culture landscape is now…
Will smart homes be sold in living rooms?
Decades ago, salesmen would travel door to door to explain the magic of vacuums. Do Internet of Things (IoT) products also require in-home visits? Will in-home consultations be critical to…
Is there a ‘right way’ for retailers to help in times of disaster?
In the wake of the unprecedented destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, retailers and brands, both local and nationwide, have jumped in to aid in the recovery. What is the appropriate…
Will Instagram become retail’s ticket to mobile shopping?
According to a survey of 2,000 Instagram users, the vast majority (85 percent) follow accounts that are style, fashion or lifestyle-focused, and 63 percent considering themselves to be a fashion-forward…
Are Whole Foods’ price cuts game-changing for food retailing?
On its first day of ownership on Monday, Amazon — as promised — lowered prices across a selection of staples at Whole Foods. What actions do you expect Amazon to…
Retail Mash-Up: What if IKEA and Kohl’s birthed a new concept?
In RetailWire’s Retail Mash-Ups, we imagine what would happen if two radically different retailers were to collaborate to create a unique chain with both of their best qualities. For today’s…
Is thrifting going mainstream?
If you missed National Thrift Store Day on August 17 you weren’t alone, but next year’s event might garner a little more attention as the thrift store space keeps expanding…
Should Starbucks close its online store?
Starbucks is closing its online e-commerce site that sells coffee, tea, drinkware, syrups, water bottles, brewing accessories and gift sets. Will Starbucks come to regret closing its online store?
Are vendors delivering better online experiences than multi-brand sellers?
According to a survey from Astound Commerce, 55 percent of consumers prefer to shop directly at a brand manufacturer website rather than go to a retailer who may sell multiple…
