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Will the tech behind Amazon Go redefine convenience at retail?
The reports that Amazon.com was working on a new type of convenience store have proven true with the opening of the first Amazon Go location in downtown Seattle. What do…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Meijer vs. TJX Companies
This week’s challenge matches up Meijer’s “Do You See What I See?” spot featuring a familiar-looking seasonal character against a new commercial from TJX Companies — Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and…
How can retailers prompt customers to write product reviews?
The more reviews a product has, the more trustworthy the reviews for that product and the overall retailer’s review section will appear to be, according to numerous studies. What’s the…
Does Alexa need a screen?
Amazon is developing a premium version of its popular Echo speaker that adds a seven-inch touchscreen display to Alexa, its voice-driven digital assistant, according to a report from Bloomberg. Would…
Can facial-recognition assist in gift giving?
EBay opened a two-day pop-up in London last week with the claim that it was the first store to use facial recognition to help shoppers decide on holiday gifts. What…
Five ways to sell customers a new identity using emotional selling
Retail salespeople often sell based on the features they think are important. The trouble with that is shoppers are unique; they have their own reasons why they buy things. Are…
A small retailer makes a bold move against big chains
A recent ad heard on the radio from a Massachusetts liquor store caught us off guard in its stunning candor-as-a-business tack. This ad was different. They named names. What risks…
Will Starbucks be the same without Howard Schultz as CEO?
Yesterday’s news that Howard Schultz will step down next year as the chief executive officer of Starbucks shouldn’t come as any surprise. The question is whether or not Mr. Schultz…
Is transparency next for grocery private label?
Should food retailers tell customers who makes their store brands? Some market watchers believe they need to start considering it. What are the pros and cons of bringing more transparency…
Click and collect and ship-from-store change associate job descriptions
The number of people coming into stores to shop for holiday gifts this year is down as more consumers go online to purchase what they need. That doesn’t mean, however,…
Could digital advertising be replaced by a subscription model?
With the popularity of ad blockers just one of the newer hurdles facing digital advertising, internet publishers may have to band together to offer bundles that can justify subscriptions, argue…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge Global Edition – Week 1
In year two of RetailWire’s Christmas Commercial Challenge Global Edition, we’ll share with you some of the best spots produced outside of the U.S. and give you the opportunity to…
What convinces retailers to innovate?
When CART (Center for Advancing Retail & Technology) recently hosted the Retail Innovation Pitch Event, we gained some insight into how retailers make decisions when assessing new, innovative solutions. How…
Will sales promotions be the death of department stores?
Have sales promotions become a “cancer” for department stores? Allen Questrom, the former CEO of J.C. Penney, thinks they have and said so in an interview on the CNBC show…
Can engagement replace transaction rewards?
According to Crowdtwist’s 2016 Gender Loyalty Report, filling out a survey ranked as the top way consumers want to earn loyalty points beyond purchases. Could engagement rewards help loyalty programs…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Amazon.com vs. Jet.com
In week three of the Christmas Commercial Challenge, we’re matching up e-tail giant Amazon’s “Priest and Imam Meet for Tea” spot against “Spend Less on the People You Love” from…
What does a record Cyber Monday foretell for the remaining holiday season?
The deals were numerous and expectations were high heading into yesterday’s Cyber Monday sales events. Based on preliminary data, it appears as though expectations were met or exceeded. What affect…
How badly will Macy’s be hurt by its Black Friday outages?
On one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, it has become important for retailers to have as strong an online presence as a brick-and-mortar one. But Macy’s attempt…
Online wins the Black Friday weekend again
Not surprisingly, online sales by all projections grew sharply over Black Friday weekend while in-store purchases declined vs. the year-ago period. What new factors appear to be driving online’s expanding…
Are favorable online reviews critical for retailers?
A new survey from BrightLocal shows online customer reviews are highly relevant to restaurants, but seem less so for other consumer businesses, including stores. Should online customer reviews on third-party…
Is Chobani smart to open cafés in grocery stores?
Chobani has opened a Chobani Café inside a new-style Target in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood and plans to open a Chobani Creation Bar in a ShopRite in Stirling, N.J. …
