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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Why is Target making nice with Amazon?
Yesterday, a number of Amazon devices, including the Kindle, Fire sticks and tablets, were back on target.com and Target plans to have the devices in all its stores across the…
Will labor scheduling upgrades make Walmart a better retailer?
Walmart is rolling out an upgraded scheduling system that it says will give associates more control over their work hours. Will a change in Walmart’s labor scheduling system make the…
When should brands go down market?
Under Armour, which for most of its 20-year history has attributed much of its authenticity to being sold exclusively in the sporting goods channel, last week revealed it would begin…
Would Walmart + Jet.com be an Amazon killer?
Walmart is in talks to buy Jet.com, according to The Wall Street Journal and other sources. Does a Walmart acquisition of Jet.com make business sense?
Are politics a missed merchandising opportunity?
With the 2016 presidential election captivating America, Urban Outfitters is benefiting from the sale of a wide range of merchandise bashing the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Should political themes be…
Will Target and Harry’s make for a perfect retail partnership?
If you can’t beat ‘em, sell their products. That appears to be at least partially the case with the news that Target is teaming up with Harry’s, the shaving products…
Will Wegmans take Publix on in Florida?
As Publix continues expanding up the East Coast, Wegmans maintains its inexorable push south. Do you imagine Wegmans and Publix will soon be competing in Florida and New York State?
Disney may track park visitors using shoe recognition tech
Walt Disney was recently awarded a patent that describes identifying and tracking its visitors based on their footwear in order to provide customers with customized experiences. Does tracking customers by…
Russell Athletic champions high school underdogs
Russell Athletic’s new high school football-related advertising campaign is far afield from traditional sports marketing. Does Russell Athletics’ focus on runner-ups and their struggles to succeed make sense as a…
Where should retailers concentrate their tech focus?
Two recent articles point to the importance of not only making tech investments, but doing so in a way that helps move the corporate needle forward. How critical is tech…
Could mobile scan and pay lead honest shoppers into a life of crime?
A new study by criminologists asserts that retailers may find themselves with a shrink issue on their hands if mobile scan and pay tech is more broadly used. Do you…
Is Grocery Outlet on its way to becoming the TJX of grocers?
One online commentator referred to Grocery Outlet Bargain Market as “the supermarket version of Big Lots,” but new stores might be better described as “the T.J. Maxx of grocery stores.”…
Walmart’s CMO talks time, money and message
Walmart’s “Save money. Live better” slogan has served as a multi-purpose mantra for the company, but delivering on the “save money” part is becoming more difficult. Should convenience become a…
Are retailers missing marketing opportunities with gift cards?
While confirming past studies about the popularity of gift cards, new research reveals one major issue for retailers. Are retailers falling short when it comes to promoting and improving the…
Is online a bigger threat to independent merchants than big boxes?
For years, the big box was derided as the major threat to the survival of the local independent store. More recently, however, the online giants have become an equal or…
Will 365 concept prove to be the future of Whole Foods?
While only two 365 by Whole Foods Market stores have opened so far, “the customer response has been overwhelmingly positive,” co-CEO Walter Robb told analysts. How do you expect Whole…
Dollar General grows where Walmart closes
Dollar General isn’t always just about opening new stores. In some cases, it’s about closing existing stores to move into better digs in the same market. What is your reaction…
Asda promotes food waste savings
As part of a campaign in partnership with the University of Leeds, Asda said customers saved £57 a year by committing to cutting food waste in their homes. What do…
Is it time for marketers to embrace radical transparency?
Everlane makes transparency a point of differentiation. The apparel brand, which only sells online, makes its production costs completely visible to consumers. Do you see such “radical transparency” as a…
How should commissions work in the era of omnichannel retailing?
With online revenues siphoning sales from physical stores, some Canadian retailers are considering allocating commissions from online sales to store personnel near the shopper’s residence. How should commissions be revamped…
Has Nordstrom lost its customer experience edge?
Nordstrom may be in a better position than some of its other department store peers, but the chain has openly admitted the challenges it faces, and some might surprise you…
