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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Big food loses when it keeps consumers in the dark
“And so begins my rant at many of you who lead trade associations and ‘Big Food’ and their ongoing anti-GMO labeling battles and other efforts to obstruct transparency requirements around…
Will Saks succeed in bringing Fifth Avenue to Toronto?
The luxury goods market in Canada is either crowded and competitive or wide-open for new entrants depending on whom you ask. Either way, Saks Fifth Avenue has decided the upside…
Publix engages customers where they are (on social media)
Publix Super Markets is big on social media. The employee-owned grocery juggernaut announced it has expanded its social media presence with accounts on Instagram and Pinterest . What is your…
Are delivery start-ups in trouble?
Layoffs of staff, raising of fees, and lower valuations in funding rounds could be seen as signs of new pressures facing delivery start-ups. Questions are arising whether the new delivery…
Will an Amazon private label diaper prosper under a new name?
Parents don’t take diapers lightly. Amazon discovered this about a year ago when it discontinued its line of private label diapers amid complaints of poor quality by consumers. But a…
Kate Hudson’s fame grows into an activewear chain
Fabletics, the online activewear brand built initially on the fame of actress and co-founder Kate Hudson, is seeking to become a major brick and mortar force as well, looking to…
Wine stores face threat from direct-to-consumer channel
While it’s hard to find a higher level of expert advice at retail, wine stores are the latest channel to be losing major share to direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. How should…
Where are the most exciting digital marketing opportunities?
Optimizing the customer experience continues to be the most exciting digital opportunity available to marketers today, according to results from a recent report. But fast-forward five years and respondents believe…
What’s the best way to broach a survey request?
According to Accelerant Research, the most welcoming survey invitation methods are ones that can be most easily avoided: sent via e-mail, those printed on retail checkout receipts and via the…
Will arugula and tattoos go together in Whole Foods’ new concept?
Whole Foods is looking to broaden the appeal of its new 365 concept by making space available within its stores for complementary businesses that appeal to Millennials, like body care…
Is Google’s self-driving delivery truck the future of the last mile?
With all the talk of Amazon’s push for package delivery by drone, it has become easy to imagine a drone-dominated sky. But another big tech player is exploring a different…
BK has sights set on being the top (hot) dog in fast food
Burger King’s management thinks they are onto something big — we’re talking Whopper-like big. So, what’s the next big thing in fast food? “Flame-grilled” hot dogs. Will the chain-wide availability…
Will modest growth this year be good enough for retailers?
The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects retail industry sales to grow 3.1 percent this year, higher than the annual average of 2.7 percent over the past decade. Which economic factors…
What if online shopping isn’t more eco-friendly?
A new study casts some doubt on the environmental benefits of online shopping, finding that the extra trucks needed to support e-commerce place more wear-and-tear on pavement and increase pollution…
Retailers need to get emotional to engage loyalty program members
An eMarketer article yesterday pointed to a number of published studies that came to a conclusion that most of us have come to. Americans are members in a whole lot…
Kroger’s customers love to order groceries online
Kroger, by all accounts, has a winner with its ClickList online grocery ordering and in-store pickup system. Many use the word “love” to describe their feelings about the service being…
Should grocers have to turn unsold food over to food banks?
Food insecurity is a real thing. And while grocery stores and restaurants are known for generosity in attempting to feed the needy, a lot of food winds up in dumpsters…
Burberry shocks the industry, going direct from runway to consumer
Burberry last week shocked the fashion world by announcing that, beginning in September, its runway shows would feature “wear-now” items — product that can be bought by consumers immediately. Should…
Guideshops offer e-tailers a different brick and mortar future
The recent speculation concerning possible plans by Amazon.com to open hundreds of bookstores has brought a renewed focus on the role brick and mortar stores will play for pure play…
What should retailers do with the holiday gift of customer data?
Each January, every brand has a fresh chance to decide how to use its new gift of holiday data. Will the new names simply be added to an e-mail list…
Will nutritional shelf labels drive healthier choices for low-income shoppers?
Rarely does one see a NuVal number on the shelf. But a grocer in one neighborhood in Syracuse, NY is labeling items with the NuVal number as part of an…
