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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Why Walmart is losing the e-commerce game
While Walmart is certainly investing in customer service initiatives at its physical stores, it’s spending at least that much to boost its digital efforts. Yet Walmart reported just eight percent…
Will Sports Authority get KO’d in court fight with vendors?
Sports Authority and many of its vendors have a case of the “sue me, sue you blues.” According to a Wall Street Journal report, the bankrupt sporting goods chain has…
What’s the holdup with EMV cards?
A headline on The Atlantic website asks, “Why Is the U.S. Determined to Have the Least-Secure Credit Cards in the World?” The article points out that while EMV technology has…
Is March Madness a missed retail opportunity?
Super Bowl savings can be readily found in supermarket and consumer electronics circulars, but March Madness, another highly social sports event, gets little retail play. But it’s a social occasion…
Penney gives managers more time with customers
There’s a lot of positivity surrounding J.C. Penney these days. The company has been turning in positive sales numbers, launched a new ad campaign, and is also testing the sale…
Will new branding turn American Apparel around?
There was a contradiction at the heart of American Apparel in its heyday that put fans of the chain in an awkward position. While the company made its clothes in…
Do vertical retailers have a customer engagement edge?
While vertical stores are seen having a price advantage because they avoid using wholesalers, they are also positioned to better engage customers in an increasingly digital age. What advantages do…
Are selfies the future of mobile payment tech?
Pay by selfie may prove to be a thing. According to reports, Amazon.com has filed a patent for technology that would enable customers to make payments by taking a photo…
Ahold and Delhaize shareholders approve merger plans
Now that the deal has been made, getting Ahold and Delhaize shareholders to vote to approve a merger between the two grocery giants will probably turn out to be the…
Dollar General rolling out smaller prototype
Dollar General has introduced a smaller-sized format to reach more densely populated metro areas as well as smaller rural ones. What challenges do you see ahead for Dollar General’s smaller…
True Religion turns to Apple Watch to improve customers’ experiences
Associates working at True Religion stores in Beverly Hills and New York’s SoHo neighborhood will soon be wearing an Apple Watch, which will serve as a tool intended to raise…
Costco is quietly getting rid of its smokes
Costco has been quietly reducing tobacco SKUs in its clubs over the last several years. Do the low margins and high shrink associated with tobacco lead you to the conclusion…
McD’s first loyalty program will come with free fries
Watch out Starbucks! McDonald’s is ready to launch its first full-fledged loyalty program later this year or early in 2017. How receptive will consumers be to McDonald’s loyalty program? Do…
Should plastic loyalty cards go digital?
According to a survey from Vibes, 73 percent of smartphone users are either very or somewhat interested in saving loyalty cards to their smartphones. Are smartphone-accessible loyalty programs bound to…
Does Sports Authority’s bankruptcy illustrate a big box problem?
In 2003, Sports Authority and Gart Sports agreed to merge. It made sense back then to build a national player that could leverage their marketing reach and supply chain efficiencies…
Is de-centralized buying worth it for Whole Foods?
Whole Foods’ decentralized buying approach often gets credit for the grocer’s ability to partner with small, local manufacturers. But it’s a pain for suppliers. What steps should national retailers using…
Consumers go mobile to buy groceries online
Mobile devices are increasingly becoming a larger part of the retail experience. Now comes further evidence of consumer adoption from Peapod, the online grocery delivery service, which has its own…
Millennials are moving to the ‘burbs
An ever-flowing list of articles written in recent years tell us just how different Millennials are from Baby Boomers. Millennials are all about the technology. They’re idealistic and much more…
Amazon takes the lead in smart home devices
Echo, Amazon’s voice-controlled cloud-based personal assistant that often goes by its trigger-name, Alexa, has apparently taken the lead among smart home control devices. Has Amazon achieved a first-mover advantage in…
Publix and unusual suspects top customer experience list
Consumers have spoken. Publix is number one among retailers when it comes to producing positive customer experiences. Which companies making the Temkin Group’s list surprised you most? Are consumers evaluating…
Will latest news make Chipotle shareholders feel all better or sick?
If Chipotle didn’t have bad luck, it might not have any luck at all. The chain is once again dealing with a health issue related to its restaurants with a…
