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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
What’s holding back scan & checkout?
The Scan & Go mobile app promises to make members’ checkout process faster and more convenient. Unfortunately, Scan & Go-type technologies seem to be in continual trial mode. How highly…
What’s creating the pricing disconnects between retailers and vendors?
A recent study shows that only 46 percent of retailers say they understand manufacturers’ pricing strategies. Yet, 72 percent of manufacturers think retailers understand their pricing strategies just fine. What…
Pokémon Go showcases potential of augmented reality in retail
Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, revealed that the app would include “sponsored locations,” which would enable businesses to sponsor stops within the game. What does the popularity of the…
What is Starbucks baking up with its latest investment?
Starbucks announced earlier this week that it was part of a group making an investment in Princi, an artisanal Italian bakery. Do you think Starbucks and Princi will be able…
Target’s super fans feed shopper discovery on Instagram
What are online super fans worth to retailers? Well, over 560,000 subscribers is nothing to sneeze at. That’s how many Instagram followers Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzem have established with…
Will personal shoppers lift retail sales?
Personal shopping has moved into the 21st Century. In recent years, concepts such as Nordstrom’s Trunk Club, 1-800-Flowers, and “Saks at Your Service – Anytime, Anywhere,” have sought to raise…
Publix buys its way into the Richmond market
Publix is not generally known for acquiring properties from other grocers and moving into a new market. In the case of the Richmond, VA, the employee-owned business is going a…
Viewers can now ‘Watch & Shop’ with Amazon Fire TV
HGTV and Food Network have launched “Watch & Shop” apps for Amazon’s Fire TV that provides viewers with original content and opportunities to buy any products they see. How would…
Will Fanatics win with #LoveNeverLoses spots?
The officially licensed sports merchandise retailer, Fanatics, launched its new ad campaign — Love Never Loses — on last night’s broadcast of the ESPN ESPY Awards, with three consumer-shot video…
Amazon declares victory – Prime Day II concludes
Amazon.com’s second annual Prime Day has come and gone and here’s what we now know. What do you think is the most important factor in determining the success of Amazon’s…
Are retailers ready for the next wave of cyber scams?
Following the major cybersecurity breaches that made headlines a few years ago, retailers have learned from the weaknesses that were exposed in their systems. But a large number and variety…
How far should brands go with functional packaging?
The slick, ergonomic style of Apple’s product packaging is a reference for packaging doubling as an experience. But other companies have begun to approach the concept of experiential packaging from…
Walmart counters Prime Day with free shipping, no minimum required
As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart is unwilling to cede the day to Amazon.com, even on Prime Day. Walmart has announced free shipping for five days, beginning yesterday, on all…
Forget Prime Day – It’s Cow Appreciation Day
As anyone who has ever watched a Chick-fil-A commercial knows, anthropomorphized cows support poultry as a food source. Chick-fil-A welcomes this support and is launching Cow Appreciation Day starting today…
Do robots make sense for online delivery?
A test of self-driving robots delivering packages, groceries and food, from Starship Technologies, an Estonian startup from Skype co-founders Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, is taking place in London,…
Target launches $1 billion kids line
Target last week introduced Cat & Jack, a comprehensive kids and baby collection that the retailer expects will generate $1 billion in sales in its first year. Can children’s…
Are self-checkouts dooming impulse purchases?
Fifty percent of Millennials are using self-checkout every time they shop in grocery stores and that presents a challenge for impulse purchases. Is the shopper mentality around self-checkout simply not…
Will drop-off points boost online sales?
After completing a successful test at nine locations in Chicago, UPS is expanding its Access Point smart locker package pick-up program to 300 new locations. Do you see drop-off points…
Walmart in no hurry to add other mobile payment options
Walmart Pay, the retailer’s answer to Apple Pay and other mobile payment apps, is now available in all 4,600+ of its U.S. stores. Based on early results, it does not…
Will new gen grocery stores cut waste down to zero?
In response to customer concerns, the grocery industry has been trying to find creative ways to limit what gets thrown out and winds up in landfills. Will a waste-free grocery…
Are in-store personalization tactics becoming less creepy?
In its second annual “Creepy or Cool?” survey, RichRelevance finds continued opposition to several forms of in-store personalization. Which in-store personalization tactics considered “creepy” today do you think will likely…
