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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Google/Levi’s smart jacket finally make wearables fashionable?
A year or two ago, the tech world was convinced of a coming wearable revolution that would be on par with the leap from desktop computing to mobile. Despite the…
Will the soy-in-chicken report sink Subway?
A Canadian Broadcast Corporation program’s report showing the chicken used in Subway’s sandwiches contained large concentrations of soy filler has prompted the chain to start a public relations battle and…
What could a new memes platform mean for retail?
Social media posts like those made by kids can affect peer perceptions of a given retail chain both for the good and bad. Do memes represent more of a communications…
Are Amazon’s boxes prime ad real estate?
Revlon recently branded 10 million of Amazon.com’s shipping boxes as part of a campaign dubbed “the Love Project,” becoming the first-ever beauty company to do an Amazon “shipping-box takeover.” Is…
Should retailers obsess about e-mail blast timing?
The best time of day to send consumer marketing e-mail during Q4 of last year — at least when comparing transactions to volume — was between 4 p.m. and 8…
Will Uniqlo beat Zara with speed and customer focus?
Fast Retailing Co., the owner of Uniqlo, is counting on a new design and delivery center to help it outrace Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer and owner of Zara,…
What will Walmart do with its newest acquisition, ModCloth?
Those who thought that Walmart’s acquisition of Moosejaw came out of left field should be prepared for another stunner. According to reports, the retailer is about to become the proud…
Can UPS fly past Amazon in drone delivery?
UPS has begun testing a delivery truck that acts as a mobile drone base, Business Insider reported. The vehicle features a drone “nest” on the roof which houses a drone…
Does Neiman Marcus make sense for Hudson’s Bay?
Hudson’s Bay Company, unable to conclude a deal to acquire Macy’s, Inc., now has its sights set on the Neiman Marcus Group, according to reports. Does a deal between Hudson’s…
How will AmazonFresh Pickup stores affect the grocery business?
It’s not exactly a secret that Amazon.com has been working on its own drive-up grocery concept. New reporting, however, shows the company is getting closer to launch. Will Amazon climb…
Will AI transform retail marketing?
The survey of more than 200 retail marketers showed that of the 66 percent who leverage AI for marketing purposes, the most common applications are in search, product recommendations, and…
Does Macy’s incoming CEO have a plan to turn the business around?
Last June, Macy’s, Inc. announced that Jeff Genette take over as CEO from Terry Lundgren. With about a week to go before he formally becomes CEO, Mr. Genette seems set…
Will being more like Home Depot work for J.C. Penney?
J.C. Penney is looking more like a home improvement store with every passing day. That’s not such as stretch given that Marvin Ellison, CEO of J.C. Penney, is drawing on…
Will adding Spanish give Amazon an edge over rival sites?
The United States has more Spanish speakers than Spain. In fact, it is the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world, trailing only Mexico. These facts have clearly not…
Are Old Navy’s ads more effective sans celebrities?
Old Navy is shifting away from its celebrity-driven commercials starring Amy Schumer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Elizabeth Banks to focus on product-based spots. Are celebrity-driven advertising campaigns generally more effective than…
Will ‘Fearless Girl’ lead to more women on retail company boards?
Drawing heavy traditional and social media coverage, a small statue of a girl that landed last week in Manhattan’s Financial District has sparked a wide discussion on the need for…
Are retailers ‘blind’ to digital marketing’s flaws?
Spending by manufacturers on digital marketing has almost tripled in the past five years, from 7.7 percent of total marketing spending in 2012 to a projected 19.9 percent this year…
Has the retail industry’s real estate bubble burst?
Richard Hayne, CEO of Urban Outfitters, believes the reason so many stores are closing is because retail is finally facing the consequences of its own real estate bubble. Is retail…
Has Chewy.com proven that online sales are going to the dogs?
Retailers sniffing around for online growth may find opportunities with pet owners (AKA pet parents, in some circles). Research conducted last year found that online spending on pet supplies increased…
Do consumers want AI and AR in their mobile apps?
There might yet be a way to drive consumer adoption of retailer apps, at least according to a recent study by app developer Apadmi, which indicated that consumers are looking…
Can calls for food transparency be answered digitally?
With consumers demanding more transparency, the SmartLabel initiative, launched in late 2015 by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), is gaining momentum. Do you see digital tools such as SmartLabel playing…
