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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Do more full-timers give Sheetz a competitive edge?
The vast majority of employees in retail are on a part-time basis to keep costs down and retain greater flexibility in scheduling. But a small number of companies are adding…
Do customers find attractive store associates intimidating?
A new university study finds that physically attractive salespeople can cause shoppers to feel self-conscious and that they may consequently avoid making purchases, especially when shopping for “embarrassing” items. Do…
Sephora succeeds inside J.C. Penney
Time flies when business is good. One positive for J.C. Penney over a decade during which the chain has had its share of problems has been Sephora. Yesterday, the retail…
Are store closings a remedy for what ails department chains?
What will it take to get department store chains performing at sales per square foot levels not seen in a decade or more? The answer, according to new research from…
Analyst predicts Costco will raise membership fees
If history repeats itself, Costco will bump up its club membership fees early next year. That’s the conclusion of a UBS analyst who noted in a letter to investors that…
Can digital signage make wait times less annoying?
While reducing actual wait times at checkout is an ongoing struggle for retailers, a new survey shows that digital signage can perhaps at least make the wait feel shorter for…
Mickey Drexler sends an e-mail to J.Crew customers
In an unusual move, Mickey Drexler, J.Crew’s chairman and CEO, sent an e-mail Saturday morning to customers detailing the progress the chain is making in upgrading its product offerings. What…
How is omnichannel complicating demand planning?
Demand planning “has become an enigma” for supply chain professionals, according to the sixth annual “State of the Retail Supply Chain” from the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Auburn…
Costco to build a chicken coop
Costco is looking to build a poultry processing plant in Nebraska with the aim of gaining greater control over its food supply chain. What are the pros and cons of…
Are robots the key to omnichannel inventory management?
The use of robots on the retail sales floor is the same sort of double-edged sword as when used for the warehouse. The latest robot to make an appearance at…
The pressures facing family businesses in retail
According to the Small Business Administration, family businesses comprise 90 percent of all business enterprises in North America and 62 percent of the U.S. employment. Yet only a third make…
Indie bookstores are back and they’re celebrating
Independent bookstores are alive and well. To prove it, small sellers across the U.S. will be celebrating with special events and deals connected with the second annual Independent Bookstore Day…
How layoffs hurt companies
Time was, layoffs were seen as an emergency strategy, the last resort in a downturn or crisis. Today, however, layoffs are a standard tool for doing business. A number of…
Chick-fil-A knows loyalty
At Chick-fil-A,devotees have been known to camp out days in advance to be among the first in line when a new location opens its doors. Now, come reports the chicken…
How much innovating can a chief innovation officer do?
The word innovation has become almost meaningless in the grocery business. So what exactly would a grocery executive do if given the title of chief innovation officer? Pay attention to…
Is it time for Victoria’s Secret to say goodbye to its print catalog?
L Brands recently indicated it will either outright eliminate or significantly reduce the mailings of its iconic Victoria’s Secret catalog as part of a larger move to focus on core…
CVS follows Target, offering curbside service
CVS and Target have something else in common. Back in June, the two companies announced that Target would sell its pharmacies to CVS. Now, CVS is following Target in making…
The latest NBA power move is selling ads on jerseys
The thought that any of our favorite sports teams would mar their iconic uniforms with the logo of a sponsor, or selling the naming rights to either Lambeau Field or…
Got profitable promos?
Profitable promotional lift has gone to hell in a handbasket, says BrainTrust panelist Warren Thayer. Little by little over the years, incremental dollars are fading, regardless of levels of spending…
Retail drama: Amazon undercuts Netflix
It’s no secret that Amazon.com has had its sights set on Netflix and its subscribers for years. Now, the e-tailing giant has a new plan to achieve its goal. It…
What do job cuts say about Nordstrom’s business?
Nordstrom is cutting back. The department store chain announced yesterday that it will eliminate up to 400 jobs at its headquarters and regional offices in an attempt to cut about…
