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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Does Best Buy now have its own summer Black Friday?
While Amazon’s Prime Day seems to have emerged as the Black Friday of the summer, the e-tail giant might not have the market cornered on new branded, seasonal shopping events…
What’s delaying BTS selling?
This year’s back-to-school (BTS) period is suffering from procrastination. The causes, according to shoppers, are varied, ranging from wanting to see what is trend-right to waiting for the best deals…
Are off-pricers discounting their online opportunity?
While many off-price retailers are looking to keep their main focus on physical stores, the online channel can complement the in-store experience. Do you see ways for off-price retailers to…
What are some common missteps when launching loyalty programs?
Launching or relaunching a loyalty program is a monumental feat for many retailers. That’s especially true for those without any history of loyalty programs — and more so, those whose…
Will Amazon become a dominant force in grocery after acquiring Whole Foods?
Amazon.com’s acquisition of Whole Foods Market is moving full steam ahead after the organic grocery chain’s shareholders approved the merger of the two companies yesterday and the Federal Trade Commission…
Why don’t more retailers ‘get’ curation?
Do retailers realize how important curation is when it comes to differentiating their brands? Short answer: Nope. If you can’t explain to customers why you’re different, then the only thing…
Will chatbots lead consumers to more purchases?
Chatbots have been rapidly gaining popularity in the last few years. Twenty-five percent of U.S. consumers use chatbots daily, and that figure spikes to 40 percent among Millennials. Seventy-seven percent…
Do retailers need to buy the loyalty of consumers?
Research recently published by the International Council of Shopping Centers finds that price and value are the biggest factors driving consumer loyalty for retailers and brands today. Have price and…
Will the Walmart/Google voice deal give Amazon’s Alexa a run for its money?
Move over Alexa. Walmart shoppers will soon be able to buy thousands of products online by speaking to their Google Home device or a mobile phone loaded with the Google…
Will TJX’s Homesense repeat the success of HomeGoods?
Customers apparently can’t get enough of TJX’s home goods offerings. There was an impressive turnout for the opening of the company’s first Homesense store, a spinoff of TJX’s existing home…
Will a former eBay and Home Depot exec help Macy’s get turned around?
Macy’s announced yesterday the hiring of Hal Lawton, eBay’s senior vice president, North America, as its new president. He joins Macy’s at a time when the company has seen sales…
Will Amazon’s two-minute pickup service appeal to students?
Amazon.com last week announced a new free “Instant Pickup” service for Prime and Prime Student members, who can order from a selection of daily essentials for pickup in two minutes…
Can a Japanese app drive adoption in America with a toy store?
Building a new user base for a messaging app is no easy task. But popular Japanese messaging app Line’s attempt to get people in the U.S. on board is one…
Should all retailers offer subscription services?
Consumers worldwide are turning to the convenience of subscriptions across many categories for a host of routine consumable products that can be delivered to your door on schedule. Indeed, the…
Why are Target’s small stores much more productive than its big boxes?
Target is one of those retailers whose name is synonymous with huge, suburban big box stores. But its recent attempts at small, urban formats are proving to be quite a…
Where did Applebee’s go wrong with Millennials?
Throughout most segments of retail, courting a Millennial audience has become a top priority and is seen as a path to current and future profits. But one restaurant chain’s Millennial-targeted…
Will the ‘SmartStockUp’ program drive replenishment sales for Boxed?
Consumers buy staple products in bulk to avoid running out, but it still invariably happens. E-tailer Boxed, whose business model is often said to resemble an e-commerce take on wholesale…
What do consumers want when using AR or VR to shop?
It no longer seems like a question of if but when retailers will begin using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology to improve the customer experience and drive…
What will more electric cars mean for convenience stores?
As much as convenience stores have come to resemble grocers and restaurants over the past decade, gas remains an integral part of much of the segment’s business model. In a…
Is Walmart on an unstoppable run?
It appears that Walmart’s investments in its stores and online operations are paying off in market share gains. Are you surprised that Walmart continues to grow both its online and…
Should drones be used for data collection in addition to deliveries?
While delivery services and regulators are still trying to figure out the details of safe drone delivery, Amazon.com is already thinking about what data the drones can collect while dropping…
