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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are consumer studies hopelessly biased?
Casting doubt on the methodology of many well-regarded consumer studies, researchers have found over half of published scientific studies could not be replicated to create the same results as found…
Future of Amazon consumer devices in question after Fire Phone failure
Amazon has gotten kudos in some circles for its fail-fast model. But it looks like in the case of Amazon’s flash-in-the-pan smartphone, known as the Fire Phone, the e-tailer has…
First-ever mall-wide rewards program launched
Starwood Retail Partners, which owns several malls, has partnered with a loyalty network to launch “Oh, So Simple Rewards,” described as “a first-of-its-kind rewards program that offers consumers easy to…
Are response times, shipping or returns the biggest consumer headache?
We talk a lot about the quality of customer service in this space, and it seems obvious that responding quickly to consumers is a big component of doing customer service…
So how did Plenti fare? Well, it depends…
Back in March, when the news that Plenti — a coalition loyalty program developed by American Express — would be launching in the US, we wondered if this country was…
Dollar General prototype focuses on fast, fresh and fit
Dollar General will be rolling out a new prototype for all its stores in 2016 with attention on speedier checkouts and a greater focus on perishables and health & beauty…
Target plans bar in Chicago location
What once seemed like a violation of liquor ordinances is becoming increasingly popular. On the wave of consumer craft beer and cocktail connoisseurship, big grocery chains are installing in-store bars…
New shopping site rewards social influencers
A new social e-commerce site, Yuno, rewards consumers for influencing their social networks. Users earn a cashback for any purchase made on yuno.com. But social influence is where users rack…
How autonomous should store staffs be?
Among the many changes Abercrombie & Fitch is making since its longtime CEO, Mike Jeffries, was ousted last December is giving its store associates more leeway to make changes at…
Macy’s new off-price format launches
Early previews indicate that Macy’s Backstage, the department store’s first foray into the off-price channel, will offer much more of a treasure hunt experience than the more destination-driven experience of…
China’s currency devaluation: Good for consumers?
What’s going on in China and is it good or bad for consumers (and thus retail)? How do you expect China’s currency devaluation and its less certain economy to affect…
Amazon exploring public transit delivery
In the latest of its far-flung experiments into delivery, Amazon has applied for a patent for delivering packages on public transit, i.e. buses, subways and trains. What do you think…
Walmart gets head start on rivals for Christmas
Talk about your Christmas creep. Yesterday, Walmart made clear the retailer is intent on winning the 2015 holiday selling season by launching its layaway program two weeks earlier than last…
Scheduling is a strategic imperative for retailers
When, where and how to use our people is one of the more critical decisions a manager or owner makes. And many see scheduling more as an item on a…
Starbucks caves to ‘Food Babe’ and changes Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe
Fall has become synonymous with pumpkin spice-flavored products, but one of the most popular, Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, has also become the most controversial. Last year, a blogger posted a…
McD’s not lovin’ BK’s peace treaty proposal
Burger King made an offer that McDonald’s could refuse. Perhaps, McDonald’s should reconsider. The number-two burger chain placed ads in the Chicago Tribune and New York Times yesterday calling on…
Wegmans has the best pharmacy, too
It’s pretty common for Wegmans to appear at or near the top of various studies ranking the best supermarkets in the U.S. Now, according to a nationwide study by J.D…
Is mother-daughter bonding an untapped retail opportunity?
A recent university study found that shopping often leads to mother-daughter bonding and presents opportunities for retailers that can resolve subsequent conflicts. Is the “mother-daughter shopping trip” a genuine rite-of-passage…
Best Buy is on a roll
There’s nothing like outperforming expectations to make investors happy. That’s the story at Best Buy, which saw its share price jump as much as 17 percent after the company posted…
Will FTC quash Staples and Office Depot merger?
The Federal Trade Commission is looking at the proposed merger of Staples and Office Depot and whether it would adversely affect competition in the sale of office supplies to large…
Businesses ban deliveries of employees’ online orders
Several British headlines recently announced employers’ bans on workplace deliveries. What’s making employers unhappy is the cost of receiving and processing non-business related deliveries. Do you see American businesses cracking…
