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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Starbucks prosper or slide as CEO changes focus?
Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer Howard Schultz announced this week that he is taking a step back from the day-to-day running of the coffee giant to focus on the…
Sears Holdings says Kmart is being transformed, not closing doors
Amid reports that Kmart is being phased out, Sears Holdings insists that it is in the process of transforming Kmart from a traditional brick and mortar chain to a new…
Will meal kit delivery services move beyond niche status?
Only three percent of the U.S. adult population have tried a meal kit delivery service within the last year, according to a NPD Group study. Do you see the potential…
Why has retail’s transition to data-driven enterprises been so arduous?
In the recently released “2016 Retail and Consumer Goods Analytics Study” from RIS News, retailers consistently ranked analytics as a strategic priority. However, efforts towards improving analytics maturity are underwhelming…
Will Target take NYC by going small and flexible?
Seeking to connect with a younger, urban audience through their small-format concept, Target’s latest stores are not only going smaller to accommodate urban life, they’re getting flexible with what they’re…
Ahold Delhaize is a done deal. What now?
Ahold and Delhaize are now Ahold Delhaize. The merger of the two European-headquartered grocery chain operators is completed, and so begins the process of integration and finding a way forward…
7-Eleven makes history with consumer drone delivery
Beating Amazon.com to the punch, 7-Eleven has launched the first drone that legally delivered a package to a U.S. resident who placed an order from a retailer. Are you more…
Will discount student loans work as a Prime incentive?
Amazon last week announced a partnership with Wells Fargo to supply student loans at a discount to college students. Is the overall Amazon Prime Student program going overboard with incentives…
White lies, sales fibs and the customer experience
Most storeowners or retail managers would never let anyone on their staff intentionally disrespect or be dishonest with a customer or colleague. But some behaviors are accepted. Are white lies…
Will AI mobile apps replace associates on Macy’s sales floor?
Earlier this week, Macy’s announced a pilot program to test “Macy’s On Call,” a mobile tool that will enable consumers to get answers to questions from an artificial intelligence platform…
Is fast-fashion slowing down?
Recent stumbles from key fast-fashion players have some wondering whether the fast-turn, disposable trend has hit a speedbump. How do you explain the recent struggles that fast-fashion chains are having?
What will back-to-school look like in 2016?
Consumers, feeling better about their personal finances and the state of the economy, plan to spend more on apparel, electronics and supplies for this year’s back-to-school and college season, according…
What does Unilever’s acquisition of Dollar Shave Club mean?
Procter & Gamble may be dipping its toe in the water when it comes to subscription services, but Unilever is diving head first into the deep part of the pool…
Can Primark conquer America without selling online?
Primark is slated to take over seven former Sears locations in department store malls. Of note is that the company is not pursuing e-commerce “for the time being,” and instead…
Has social advertising broken through as a purchase driver?
Social media ads have seen rapid spending increases in recent years, and that increasing flow of money is having a profound effect on social advertising’s status as a consumer purchase…
Is Amazon.com retail’s 800-pound gorilla or a crafty coyote?
Lately, Amazon panic has run rampant among mass retailers. It started when the digerati claimed that stores would be replaced by online shopping due to disruption. But exactly how…
Will consumers buy subscriptions for Tide from P&G?
Procter & Gamble has launched a test of a new online subscription service — Tide Wash Club. How do you expect Procter & Gamble’s retailer customers to react to its…
How can retailers gain something useful from employee surveys?
Employee satisfaction surveys — conducted on a regular basis, and followed up on in a meaningful way — say to associates, in no uncertain terms: “We’re asking because we care.”…
What does it take to compete in an off-price retail world?
New research from The NPD Group is quite clear. Roughly two-thirds of all consumers who shop for clothes do so at off-price outlets. Are off-price chains making department and specialty…
Are wearables just for the kids?
A COLLOQUY survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers found 58 percent saying they would like to use a wearable device, but felt that they were too old. Do you…
Do wine and beer make for a better shopping experience?
Retailers, from Barnes & Noble to Whole Foods, are experimenting with the sale of beer and wine on-premises to attract shoppers to their stores. Are bars serving beer and wine…
