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Why did mall landlords step in to save Aeropostale?
When bankrupt teen clothing retailer Aeropostale failed to receive bids to continue operating its business, two of its landlords stepped in to keep the chain running. Do you think the…
Are robo-carts coming to a Walmart near you?
Associates making cart checks in store parking lots may become a thing of the past if Walmart brings the new self-driving shopping cart it recently patented to its stores. Do…
When will AR and VR become “realities” at retail?
Despite a ton of hype, applications for augmented reality and virtual reality remain hard to spot at retail. One challenge is making sure any the sci-fi element complements rather than…
Will the Galaxy Note 7 snafu send Samsung up in flames?
Two weeks ago, Samsung issued a statement that it was ending sales of and voluntarily recalling its new Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. Do you think Samsung’s reputation and financials will…
Should grocers back away from prepared meals?
The increased demand for meals that are fresh, complicated and fast has started to create problems for grocers. At an increasing rate, fresh offerings are making people sick. How can…
Office Depot rewards students for mobile time-outs
Office Depot has signed on as the sole national school and office supply retailer with Pocket Points, an app that offers savings to students who refrain from using their mobile…
Will click and collect conversion transform IKEA’s business?
For IKEA, the combination of online ordering and in-store pickup is central to the international furniture chain’s growth prospects. How do you see click and collect transforming IKEA’s business model?
Amazon and Fanatics play ‘anytime, anywhere, anyhow’ commerce on game day
Amazon has partnered with the San Francisco 49ers to deliver “tens of thousands” of items to tailgaters at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. What do the NFL fan initiatives…
Target holiday hiring points to changing HR priorities
Target’s announcement yesterday about its hiring plans for the Christmas selling season points to how staffing needs have changed for retailers in recent years with more sales being processed online…
Amazon to roll out pop-ups nationwide
Amazon has quietly been opening pop-ups in malls across the country selling Echo and its other electronic devices and plans to have up to 100 open by 2017, according to…
Why are retailers struggling with Big Data?
When RSR recently asked about the status of capabilities related to capturing and analyzing Big Data, no capability was reported by up to 50 percent of retailers. Are retailers failing…
Is a grocery price war inevitable?
Driven largely by food deflation, some Wall Street analysts are predicting a highly promotional climate to lead to several quarters of depressed earnings for the grocery channel. What management tips…
Will Apple bring Macy’s a merry Christmas?
Struggling Macy’s is looking for any way it can to put its traffic and sales trends on a positive track heading into the critical Christmas selling season. Has it found…
Is altruism the secret ingredient in Starbucks’ success?
Starbucks has launched an original web series, highlighting stories in which individuals and communities come together to confront societal challenges in positive, collaborative ways. Do you think other retailers are…
These social media behaviors are turning off your followers
A recent study from Sprout Social shows that brands need to strike a very delicate balance with their social media promotions or risk losing their followers. Do consumers have less…
Can crowdsourced price data change shopping habits?
Comparing prices between brick-and-mortar grocery stores isn’t an exact science for even the most fastidious shopper. The creators of a new app want to make finding the lowest price far…
Will dedicated teams lift Target’s grocery business?
Target, according a Wall Street Journal report, is creating dedicated teams of employees in its stores whose sole purpose will be to work in grocery and not split time in…
Could Amazon’s physical stores fuel a backlash?
Since its initial rise, Amazon has posed a significant threat to a wide range of retail competitors, and yet to date the e-tail giant has not suffered in a meaningful…
Will Amazon’s ‘brand gating’ put counterfeiters out of business?
Amazon is getting tougher with new sellers on its marketplace. The company will now require proof of purchase from popular brands and one-time fees up to $1,500 per brand. Will…
What does it take to earn Millennials’ loyalty?
You may think this generation will only bounce between brands, but a well-tailored loyalty program can attract — and retain — Millennials. Which of the tips offered in the article…
Can pop-ups wake up mall traffic?
With department stores and many iconic mall chains failing to drive traffic and closing doors, malls are turning to pop-up stores to drum up excitement. How much pop-up activity is…
