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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Best Buy vs. Walmart
This week’s challenge will put two spots in competition with a general theme of finding the right gifts for those we care about: Best Buy’s “Win The Holidays” and Walmart’s…
What’s blocking the endless aisle?
Omni-channel is real, and is table stakes at worst and a profit driver at best. In more official sounding terms, it’s a retailer imperative. What are the main hurdles keeping…
Can storytelling transcend technology?
Despite the rush among many retailers to establish technology-driven platforms, several conversations and presentations given during the recent IBM Insight conference confirmed an ongoing belief that another skill set will…
Should stores bar shoppers based on what they are wearing?
Following last Friday’s deadly terrorist attacks, it is understandable that security personnel at other so-called soft targets in the country are on high alert. But personnel at a Zara store…
Why is simplicity so challenging?
For the third straight year, Aldi ranked first in Siegel+Gale’s Global Brand Simplicity Index. The grocer was commended for many things, notably for “uncomplicated offers.” Why do in-store experiences as…
How much do mom-and-pop stores gain from Small Business Saturday?
While everybody has heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is catching up in both public awareness and spending. The retail holiday was launched by American Express in 2010 and…
Does Target have a problem online?
Unfortunately, while Target’s percentage change was higher than the 15 percent improvement for e-commerce sales across the U.S., according to the Census Bureau, it fell well shy of the 30…
Why are retailers turning to passive data for consumer insights?
Custom surveys are considered the most important data source for the creation of insights today, but fast forward two years and they will be rivaled by passively collected consumer data,…
Will store brands outcompete national rivals in fresh categories?
Store brands have seen impressive growth since the start of the Great Recession, yet one of the key areas of growth in supermarkets has been in the perimeter/fresh categories. So…
What’s wrong with department stores?
The price of Dillard’s shares fell earlier this week after the department store chain announced its same-store sales declined last quarter. The hit put Dillard’s in the company of other…
Cracking the confidence code
In the pursuit of leadership positions within the retail industry, one of the greatest barriers for women is our reticence to raise our hands, ask for what we want and…
Insider tips to capture mobile dollars this holiday season
Retail Dive spoke to industry experts who shared some best practices to capitalize on mobile commerce this holiday and ways to skirt the pitfalls. What advice would you give retailers…
The RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge: Kohl’s vs. T.J. Maxx
Despite strong consumer sentiment and solid job numbers, a recent spate of disappointing earnings reports has some feeling a bit uneasy about the retail industry’s prospects for the holiday selling…
Will acquiring a pizza chain boost Urban Outfitters’ fortunes?
Urban Outfitters, Inc. announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of The Vetri Family group of restaurants, including Pizzeria Vetri. Will acquiring Pizzeria Vetri…
EBay predicts parents’ purchases
EBay Advertising U.K. has launched a predictive targeting tool for identifying and segmenting “parent” shoppers. The launch is part of a larger push to use online behavior to better engage…
Should robots take over tracking store inventory?
A robot has arrived to replace one of the most mundane tasks of retail associates: inventory checking. From Simbe Robotics, Tally promises to audit shelves cheaper, more frequently, and significantly…
What ever happened to relationships?
Today, top brass at retailers, brokers and manufacturers seem to work hard to prevent good personal relationships among trading partners. Do you see personal relationships between buyers and their vendor…
Are retailers maximizing gift card sales?
The holiday’s most requested gift — gift cards — continues to be promoted by retailers, but not too loudly. Becoming more acceptable as gifts every year, easier to use and…
Will H-E-B repeat its brick & mortar success online?
In its home state of Texas, H-E-B has proven it can not only compete with anyone, but succeed. Now, the largest regional grocery store operator in the U.S. is looking…
Why aren’t shoppers paying full price for Macy’s merchandise?
Macy’s has a really big inventory problem on its hands. The retailer has way too much inventory because consumers are no longer buying enough of what it is selling. What…
Will Facebook’s view of nearby shoppers help stores?
Facebook has introduced a tool that will give retailers greater access to information about consumers near their stores. The catch is that all the information on those individuals is aggregated…
