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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Should stores charge customers extra to use disposable cups?
With many municipalities now charging a small fee for plastic bags at stores to reduce their environmental damage, a study finds charging for disposable cups could work the same way…
What will the fourth industrial revolution mean for retail supply chains and jobs?
Both retailers and suppliers are moving to a new era of intelligent machines designed to eliminate waste in supply chains and update old business models. Several experts argue that the…
Is Fred’s up to acquiring 1,200 Rite Aid stores?
Recent reports suggest that the Federal Trade Commission has yet to approve the merger between Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid over concerns that Fred’s Inc., the regional discount chain…
Why is digital advertising underachieving?
Some sobering results from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Google Digital Academy: on a 100-point scale, marketers working at advertisers around the world score their organizations’ digital capabilities at an…
Can Amazon Cash open e-commerce up to millions of underbanked consumers?
Amazon.com has made it easy to purchase through any number of payment methods on its site. But pre-loading an Amazon account with cash hasn’t been an option — until now…
Will Panera Bread be more successful as a private company?
In a deal that seems to have materialized almost overnight, Panera Bread Company announced yesterday that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell its business to JAB Holdings in…
BrainTrust throwdown: Is it inevitable that tech companies will dominate retail?
We asked two of our BrainTrust panelists, Ken Lonyai and Ryan Mathews to argue for and against the following premise: The new model for retail is built on mastery of…
Can SpartanNash use BOPIS to take personalization to the next level?
Grocers have been pinging shoppers’ smartphones with personalized offers for some time, but at this point, the practice is more hyped than common. The expansion of BOPIS, however, may offer…
Can a former Lidl CEO transform Save-A-Lot into a major player?
Save-A-Lot may yet be a player in the hard discount grocery market in the U.S. The chain announced that it has hired Kenneth McGrath, former CEO of Lidl Ireland and…
Why haven’t customer surveys gone mobile?
ChargeItSpot, which deploys charging stations within retail stores, is adding a survey feature to its offering. What is preventing retailers and brands from making better use of smartphones as a…
Is the time right for Publix to begin a major rollout of its GreenWise stores?
Last week, Publix announced plans to “reignite” its GreenWise store concept with the opening of a new store in Florida and plans to scout locations throughout its operating areas. Is…
Will Jenna Lyons’ departure help or hinder J.Crew’s turnaround efforts?
J.Crew announced yesterday that its president and longtime creative director, Jenna Lyons, was leaving the company. Ms. Lyon’s departure comes after the several years of sales declines for the retailer…
Should retailers take a public stance on social issues?
Brands are in the political and societal spotlight more often these days — sometimes of their own accord and sometimes not. But to what extent should brands have a voice…
Are consumers interested in Kroger’s stories?
Kroger has introduced a website dedicated to sharing stories to reinforce its value — and values — to both customers and associates. Are blogs created by retailers to highlight new…
Will mobile order and pay-only stores improve Starbucks’ operational performance?
Looking for ways to eliminate bottlenecks caused by the popularity of mobile orders, Starbucks will open a dedicated mobile order and pay-only store at its Seattle headquarters. Are mobile order…
Why is Amazon trying to convince CPG giants to go consumer direct?
Every dollar consumers spend with manufacturers is a dollar that doesn’t go to retailers. So, why is Amazon.com, a reseller of these very same CPG brands, trying to convince manufacturers…
An open letter to retailers from a Millennial: Fix your omnichannel!
Brands are realizing that, instead of just omnichannel, they need to act as one consistent channel in order to provide the consumer what they are looking for. If there are…
Is mobile POS largely about line-busting?
Much has been made about the potential of mobile POS to break up long lines to speed checkouts. But mobile POS is promising much more. To what extent do you…
What does the decision to close Quidsi say about the battle between Amazon and Jet.com?
Amazon.com announced yesterday that it is closing Quidsi, operator of Diapers.com, Soap.com and four other sites, after the business failed to turn a profit. What is your take on Amazon.com’s…
Will personalized pricing end retailers’ use of dynamic pricing?
While sometimes used interchangeably, dynamic and personalized pricing are not the same thing. Do you see a bigger potential benefit for retailers using personalized pricing versus dynamic pricing?
Could an Amazon augmented reality store shake up appliance and furniture shopping?
Unnamed sources close to Amazon recently told The New York Times about the company’s possible plans is a home appliance and furniture showroom/store hybrid, which would allow visitors to use…
