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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Did retailers shine or go dark on the rare solar eclipse sales opportunity?
The impending solar eclipse, which will take place on Aug. 21 when the moon will move between the sun and the Earth, has proven to be a gift, of sorts,…
What bad habits do retail solution providers need to break?
Business is booming for companies that provide data, merchandising, tech and other support. Yet some retailers say that some are at risk of blowing it by reinforcing a few bad…
Will military tech give Amazon an edge delivering packaged meals?
Amazon.com is now partnering with a startup that purports to make shelf-stable, easily shippable, pre-packaged meals that don’t lose their quality in the preservation process. Could MATS technology offer a…
Will more promos fix Dick’s Sporting Goods pricing challenge?
Dick’s Sporting Goods has a price perception problem and the retailer plans to take competition head on with more promotions “to drive market share.” Will increased promotional activity and price…
How should vendors respond to Walmart’s reluctance to raise prices?
Vendors tell Warren Thayer it’s just about impossible to get a price increase through Walmart, even after showing their costs have risen significantly. Should they drop what is likely their…
Is Target ready to make a move on the home delivery front?
Target announced yesterday that it reached a deal to acquire a tech company that has created a software platform used by retailers to manage local deliveries coast-to-coast. Will Target’s acquisition…
Will Timberland climb to greater heights behind new experiential concept?
Popular shoe brand Timberland is taking its standalone brick-and-mortar presence in an experiential direction – and it’s doing so with a store layout and selection that doesn’t stand still. Will…
Does the internet know us better than we know ourselves?
In his book, “Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are,” Seth Stephens-Davidowitz explores in part how Big Data can…
Will Aldi upset the grocery home delivery cart?
If you can’t get to Aldi, perhaps Aldi can come to you. The hard discount grocery chain has confirmed that it will begin a test of home delivery with Instacart…
Why is Adidas partnering with a knockoff brand?
Instead of pursuing legal action, one of the biggest global sneaker manufacturers is now doing business with a small company that has made its name, at least in technical terms,…
Will Toys ‘R’ Us take Manhattan the second time around?
This holiday season, Toys “R” Us is coming back to New York’s Times Square less than two years after deciding to leave its former flagship store. This time around, the…
Is a positive quarter a sign of results to come for Nordstrom?
Shares of Nordstrom’s stock were up in after-hours trading following the department store operator’s report of better-than-expected sales numbers for the second quarter. Do you see Nordstrom’s second quarter results…
Is the future of fashion gender-free?
During the past couple of years, we’ve seen more brands and retailers dabble in genderless or unisex products and apparel, generally to much praise. Do you see the future of…
Should Walmart buy Birchbox?
Birchbox, the monthly service that sends four or five samples of prestige and niche beauty and grooming brands to subscribers for $10 a month, has held talks with several retailers,…
Is it time to reinvent category management?
The “father of category management,” says there’s a need to move onto category management 2.0. Win Weber, another leading proponent, says category management was formed before the internet was commercialized…
Do Amazon Marketplace sellers need outside help?
With Amazon.com becoming the go-to place for online searches, third-party sellers continue to flock to its marketplace. At the same time, these sellers are looking for third-party help to sell…
What to do when shop local turns into look local and buy online?
A recent Facebook LIVE video Retail Doctor Bob Phibbs conducted with some mom & pops led to many questions around a new trend some call shop local but buy online…
Is Wayfair Amazon-proof?
Wayfair, the online furniture retailer, reported strong sales during the second quarter with U.S. revenues up 39 percent and international jumping 136 percent year-over-year. Will Wayfair’s approach help to insulate…
Is an urban revival a sign of hope for indie grocers?
While mom-and-pop grocery stores nationwide have faced tremendous difficulties, Washington, D.C. appears to be bucking the trend. Do you see urban areas as representing the best opportunity for independent grocer…
Does Dunkin’ need donuts?
Dunkin’ Donuts plans to test an abbreviated Dunkin’ slogan and signage, beginning with a store last week in Pasadena, CA, to help make the chain better known foremost for its…
Why is big food turning to pop-up stores to tell brand stories?
Kellogg, Pure Leaf and Chobani are among a number of CPG companies that have been sprouting “pop-up” stores that tell their brand stories. What do you think of pop-ups as…
