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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Can licensing safeguard against retail downsizing?
The ongoing shuttering of brick-and-mortar locations will challenge brand marketers, not only because online won’t make up for the reductions in store count in the short term, but because stores…
Is UNTUCKit the next big thing in apparel retailing?
UNTUCKit, a retailer that specializes in selling casual shirts to men that are designed to be worn untucked, announced it has received a $30 million investment from the venture capital…
Has produce-selling Dollar General become a real threat to traditional grocers?
Dollar General continues its push into groceries. On the chain’s latest earnings call, CEO Todd Vasos said they have begun testing sales of fresh produce in its traditional dollar stores…
What will happen to J.Crew without Mickey Drexler as CEO?
Past performance, as they say, is no indication of future performance. That, unfortunately, turned out to be the case with J.Crew’s Mickey Drexler, who is stepping down as chief executive…
Are retailers selling their souls and giving away customers to Amazon?
Some retailers might think it’s “OK” to regain a few bucks lost to Amazon or “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” but these merchants are truly courting danger. Do…
Will virtual reality become the ultimate retail training tool?
Walmart has recently started using virtual reality to train store associates. According to Walmart’s blog, the idea came from technology used by a football team during a practice session. What…
Does store operations have a seat at the digital transformation table?
The reality is that user experience design and the process of rolling out software (and hardware) to stores is just not that smooth, and it may never be. Why is…
Can Walmart workers deliver better last mile results on their way home from work?
Walmart is putting its store associates to work in a whole new way. The world’s largest retailer is testing a home delivery program that has associates dropping off online orders…
Could 3-D tech move apparel manufacturing into stores?
The advent of fast fashion has led to increasing demands on the apparel supply chain to get new clothing designs into stores faster. Now a new boutique apparel retailer is…
Are smart speakers limited as a shopping tool?
New research from comScore shows that shopping-related activities with smart speakers remain fairly limited, though one in six households with Amazon Echo are using them to find local businesses. What…
Should Amazon buy Macy’s?
Months after it was first reported that Macy’s might be on the block, no deal to acquire the department store chain has been made. And yet there’s no lack of…
Retail mash-up: What if Macy’s and Disney had a baby?
Imagine, if you will, a new retail concept born of two existing brands — not a merger, but a product of the two, one which takes the best of each…
Are off-pricers immune to apparel’s challenges?
TJX Cos., Ross Stores, Burlington Coat Factory are often mentioned as “Amazon-proof.” But a rare same-store miss in the first quarter by TJX raised some concerns about the off-price channel’s…
Will personalized pricing only lead to more discounting?
A study from Baylor University concludes the mere presence of a personalized pricing program may encourage some consumers to expect discounts all the time. Do you see more limited and…
Will customers try Kohler showers before they buy?
Letting customers try out products is proving to be a key element in maintaining physical retail’s appeal in a digital world. And one kitchen and bath brand’s new experiential outlet…
Is ‘Building the New Blue’ the right plan to complete Best Buy’s transformation?
In recent years, Best Buy turned its business in a positive direction by executing on the tactics that comprised its “Renew Blue” strategic vision. Now, the consumer electronics chain is…
Will Google change the game by linking clicks to in-store purchases?
Google last week introduced new tools to better measure the effectiveness of digital ads including linking ads to in-store purchases. Could connecting clicks to in-store purchases be a game changer…
Why is Target investing in a mattress direct seller?
Target has made a $75 million minority investment in Casper Sleep, the leader in the direct “bed in a box” mattress market. The investment, first reported by Recode, comes after…
Is ultrafast fashion a thing – seriously?
Ultrafast fashion has apparently arrived — online-only retailers ostensibly able to produce merchandise in two to four weeks, compared to five weeks for Zara and H&M. Do you think it…
Does an American Eagle Outfitters bid for Abercrombie & Fitch add up?
American Eagle Outfitters and the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management are working on a joint bid to acquire Abercrombie & Fitch, according to a Wall Street Journal report. What…
Will independent grocers turn it around in 2017?
Operating independent grocery stores has never been for those who shrink from formidable odds. When it comes to today’s independents, that means going up against chain store giants all while…
