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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Where would J.C. Penney be without Sears?
An argument can be made when you consider that, as Sears’ business has continued to falter in recent years, J.C. Penney’s has improved. Do you think the improvements in J.C…
Is Target getting its grocery act together?
Back in April 2015, Target CEO Brian Cornell called food a “critically important area of opportunity” for the retailer. Which of Target’s actions to remake its grocery business do you…
Are supermarkets digitally disconnected from retailing reality?
It’s hard to find a grocery CEO who isn’t apologizing to Wall Street for one thing or another. But what improvements do they have in mind? Are grocers in danger…
Is brick & mortar ready to leverage in-store shopper data?
Unlike their online counterparts, traditional retailers do not track the time spent in-store or engagement in their merchandising. Do you see brick & mortar stores eventually leveraging in-store shopper data…
Does Nordstrom’s growth depend on Nordstrom Rack?
Quarterly reports make clear that Nordstrom Rack’s business is growing while the company’s department stores are not. Should Nordstrom stakeholders be concerned that the company’s recent growth has been driven…
Aldi lets parents try before they buy new baby line
When it comes to products for babies, parents pay attention to quality, even if they’re on a budget. So they may need a bit of convincing when it comes to…
Are store closings a positive sign for Macy’s?
Macy’s, Inc. announced yesterday that it plans to close 100 of its 728 department stores. The company has positioned the move as a necessary step to drive profitable growth and…
What does it take to regain customers’ trust once it’s been shaken?
Many companies rely on the expertise of their PR teams to lift them from a public crisis, yet in such situations they might do well to look to their loyalty…
Will CVS succeed as it joins the mobile payment fray?
Move over Apple, Starbucks, Walmart, et al — CVS Health is getting into mobile payments. The company announced yesterday the addition of CVS Pay to the chain’s mobile app. The…
Can (should) brands do without department stores?
A fundamental shift has taken place in the consumer market where brands are not nearly as dependent on department stores as in the past. How likely are shifts in the…
Did Amazon bring down Beauty.com and Drugstore.com?
In an effort to put more focus on its own e-commerce web site, Walgreens recently announced it will pull the plug on Drugstore.com and Beauty.com. What do you think…
Will happy hour deals bring Chipotle’s customers back?
The offer of free burritos hasn’t been enough to help Chipotle Mexican Grill win back customers, so maybe free beer and margaritas will do the trick. Do you think Chipotle…
The ‘McDonald’s of the Future’ leans fast-casual
Since last year’s announcement of a turnaround plan, McDonald’s changes and upgrades seem to have grown in scope with each subsequent move. Can McDonald’s succeed in reinventing itself as…
Will selling in fewer stores help Coach sell more handbags?
Coach has a department store problem. Now the brand is cutting the number of department store locations where its products are sold by 25 percent. Will reducing availability help Coach…
Is it OK for brands to have emotions?
Millennials increasingly demand meaning from the companies they engage with — not only those they work for, but buy from. Do you think it’s become more important for retailers to…
Are loss leaders a losing proposition for stores?
With consumers finding out how to take full advantage of deals while avoiding offers that help merchants turn a profit, do you agree that cherry-picking consumers have diluted the effectiveness…
Kroger pushes its tech advantage
Kroger’s 84.51° division has acquired the predictive analytics firm Market6, seeing technology-driven consumer insights as its edge in the marketplace. How critical has the use of technology become in coordinating…
Is a ‘DARK’ cloud looming for brands over GMO labeling?
With the vast majority of Americans wanting clear GMO labeling, Bill S.764, or “The DARK Act” might be a potential time bomb for grocers and brands. Do you think that…
Amazon launches Prime Air
On Friday at Seattle’s SeaFair Air Show, Amazon.com launched its first-ever, branded cargo plane, the Amazon One. What do you think introducing Prime Air branded planes says about Amazon’s ambitions?
Study: Overly positive reviews driving product returns
According to a new university study, overly positive online reviews may be a reason why merchandise bought online has such high return rates. Do you think reviews play a role…
Is retail being hurt by its tech gender gap?
The importance of having the gender prominently working in marketing and merchandising roles has been widely acknowledged, but has retail IT joined their ranks? Do you agree the retail industry…
