RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
It’s the Millennials’ world
In a presentation at the recent Shop.org, W. Hunter Thomas, a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Gabbi Baker, assistant account executive with OgilvyOne, delivered a Millennial’s eye-view of Millennials. Will Millennials…
Is time running out on smartwatches?
If you haven’t noticed many people wearing smartwatches, there’s a good reason for that. Shipments of the wearable devices fell 51.6 percent in the third quarter year-over-year, according to International…
Will pop-ups rock Wet Seal’s holiday sales?
Wet Seal, the teen retailer, plans to open 13 pop-up locations to support holiday selling. The stores, measuring 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, will open at General Growth Properties’ shopping…
Should Bass Pro retire the Cabela’s name?
One option Bass Pro is exploring in its mega-merger with rival Cabela’s is integrating both company names. What factors should guide whether to retire or integrate nameplates as a part…
Will sky-high APR rates put an end to retailer credit cards?
Higher interest rates and skimpier sign-up offers have reduced the value of retailer credit cards, according to a new study from CreditCards.com. Are store credit cards still a wise strategy…
Saks, Ralph Lauren lure customers with upscale services
The combination of a slow economy and changing shopper priorities has some luxury retailers offering services meant to extend both the in-store and offsite experience and cater to the upscale…
Macy’s to RFID tag everything
Macy’s plans to expand its use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track every item in its stores and fulfillment centers by the end of next year. Is RFID…
Should high-end brands avoid Amazon?
While Amazon seeks to add more luxury brands on its path to become the largest U.S. apparel seller by 2017, LVMH last week asserted it had no plans to start…
What follows all-day breakfast at McDonald’s?
Coming off a quarter in which McD’s posted a 1.8 percent increase in same-store sales in a softening market, some wonder how long the chain will continue to see a…
Will department stores experience a Christmas rebound?
Projections for the holiday season have been positive with expectations that retailers will exceed last year’s performance. While not all will advance, don’t be surprised, says former Saks CEO Steve…
Will Millennials abandon traditional grocers?
Research shows that Millennials, who recently surpassed Boomers as the largest population cohort, are unfamiliar with many of food’s legacy brands that were regularly advertised on TV to Boomers. Are…
Starbucks leverages barista creativity to drive sales
For a promotion, running from October 20 to October 23, Starbucks locations are featuring drinks thought up by baristas themselves, called “Barista Originals.” Can other retailers and foodservice operators benefit…
Will Aldi and Lidl replicate U.K. success in the U.S.?
Aldi and Lidl have steadily grabbed market share in the U.K. over recent years Now, with Aldi ramping up its expansion in the U.S. and Lidl planning to enter the…
Will Apple turn its stores into something more than stores?
If its true that consumers today are more into experiences than simply buying products, then Apple may be onto something with its new generation design focused on transforming its locations…
Can retailers inspire greater sales using Pinterest?
A 2015 Bizrate Insights survey showed that 70 percent of consumers said they use Pinterest to “get inspiration on what to buy.” How great a role will Pinterest and other…
Walmart finds it pays to pay workers better
You do get what you pay for. That appears to be the simple conclusion when looking at Walmart’s results since management made the decision to raise the pay of hourly…
Is the craft brand trend healthy for big retailers and manufacturers?
With the rise of craft brands, it may be that retailers are better able to differentiate their experience and value instead of just selling the same SKU’s as everyone else…
It’s time to say goodbye to bad apps
Many brands, such as Starbucks and Sephora, have lots of users and praise for their apps; others, including some big-name brands, have fallen short. What advice would you have for…
Should in-store associates help online browsers?
What’s the best way to deliver the same level of in-store service to online customers? Saks has turned to in-store associates. How common will it become among customer service oriented…
Smartphones drive increased e-mail usage
While there’s been some talk of the death of e-mail — and e-mail marketing — with the rise of the mobile consumer, smartphones are only increasing its use, according to…
Pharmacy charges ‘man tax’
A pharmacy in lower Manhattan last week caused somewhat of an uproar by charging a one-day, seven percent “man tax” to its male shoppers to raise awareness about gender–pricing discrimination…
