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What do Millennials want in store design?
Tidy and fun are among the features Millennials are looking for in store design, according to a study from researchers at the University of Florida. What store design changes may…
Will its acquisition of ShoeBuy.com boost Walmart’s online performance?
Coming five months after its $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.com, Walmart last week snapped up ShoeBuy.com, the online retailer of footwear, apparel and accessories. How well will ShoeBuy.com support Walmart’s…
Will PetSmart’s luxurious Pet Spa concept catch on?
People like to pamper their pets, sometimes without regard for the expense. That’s a phenomenon PetSmart aims to capitalize on with its new store concept, which turns a trip to…
What will the sale of Craftsman mean for Sears and Stanley Black & Decker?
Only about 10 percent of Craftsman products are currently sold outside of stores and websites affiliated with Sears Holdings, but that is about to change now that the cash-strapped parent…
RetailWire’s top five discussions of 2016 – What will top the list in 2017?
As the new year begins, we thought it would be instructive to identify the five RetailWire discussions that received the most expert comments in 2016 before discussing what’s in store…
What would an American Apparel acquisition do for Amazon or Forever 21?
Amazon.com and Forever 21 are among a group of companies considering bids for bankrupt American Apparel, according to news reports. What would an acquisition of American Apparel mean for Amazon.com…
Will store closings and layoffs end Macy’s woes?
While overall sales were up, not every retailer had a merry Christmas. A case in point is Macy’s, which announced it would close 68 stores and cut some 10,000 jobs…
Will Millennials lead a resurgence in home cooking?
Peapod has declared 2017 the “Year Of The Home Cook” with expectations the trend will be led by Millennials. Do you see prepared meals, meal kits, digital recipes or some…
Are convenience stores in for a big year in 2017?
Convenience store operators are feeling pretty good about their prospects in 2017, according to the quarterly Retailer Sentiment Survey by NACS, the association for convenience and fuel retailing. What do…
Should workers have the right to disconnect?
Under a new law that went into effect on Jan. 1, French workers have a “right to disconnect” with their employers outside of typical working hours. Should retail employees (whether…
What does the strong 2016 Christmas foretell for retail in 2017?
Initial reports suggest that the 2016 Christmas selling season was one for the record books. Now the question becomes, will consumers continue to spend freely in the year ahead? What…
Will ‘Digital Day’ become a mainstay for Amazon?
In another exclusive sales event resembling Prime Day, Amazon.com on December 30 introduced its first-ever “Digital Day” with discounts on “thousands” of digital items across its site. Do you see…
Should Costco raise its membership fees?
Costco has hinted that it may raise its annual membership fee in the U.S. in 2017. The company earlier this year noted that it typically increases its membership fees every…
How can retailers make online reviews more useful?
Beyond making sure they’re credible, many websites are improving sorting capabilities, providing more information on reviewers and taking other steps to help consumers quickly benefit from online reviews. How can…
What will Amazon gain from its charitable shipping efforts?
Amazon has been instrumental in getting e-commerce customers to expect free shipping. Now the company is setting up customers to ship packages on its dime — for the sake of…
Amazon considers floating warehouses
In what ranks as perhaps its most farfetched sci-fi exploration yet, Amazon has been awarded a patent for an “airborne fulfillment center (AFC)” that combines with drones to reduce fuel…
How can the retail job market survive the AI revolution?
The White House has released a report detailing the negative economic impact artificial intelligence (AI) could have on millions on jobs. How should retailers prepare for, and respond to, the…
Burger King launches its own augmented reality game
Burger King has made a lot of moves locally and globally to reposition as a fun, cool fast food chain since the arrival of CEO Daniel Schwartz in 2013. Now…
Will online grocery gain traction in 2017?
The slow take-off in online grocery shopping in many Western markets is partly due to consumers remaining skeptical of product quality and convenience, according to a global study. Plus, internet…
Which spot gets your vote as the best international Christmas commercial of 2016?
After four weeks viewing spots from Germany, Poland and the U.K., it’s time to pick a winner for this year’s global version of the RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge. What do…
GNC takes the day off to reset pricing
GNC, the retailer of vitamins and supplements, closed about 4,500 of its U.S doors on Wednesday to make its shift to a simplified pricing structure under the new slogan, “One…
