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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Why aren’t retailer apps cutting it with Millennials?
Despite near complete saturation when it comes to smartphone use, Millennials have been slow to adopt shopping apps. New studies suggest the solution may lie in crafting programs suited…
Mobile payment competition heats up at retail
The announcement earlier this week that Rite Aid, a member of the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), would begin accepting Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Google Pay was the latest twist…
Grocery site is a little bit Costco and a little bit Whole Foods
What would happen if Costco and Whole Foods got together and produced a child that happened to be an e-commerce site? The result might look something like ThriveMarket.com, according to…
Consumers to NYC: We (still) want Walmart!
Over the years, big city politicians, with those from New York City in the lead, have opposed the entry of Walmart into their domains for a variety of reasons. Yet,…
Popping out among the pop-ups
As more pop-up shops enter the market, competition is heating up and retailers must push the envelope when it comes to creative campaigns. Some brands have found success tapping social…
The new loyalty paradigm in the palm of our hands
Clay Walton-House, Lenati’s customer retention and loyalty lead, recently published an article with Loyalty360 focused on an integrated approach to loyalty strategies, identifying three key factors impacting the new consumer…
Target asks vendors to take it to another level
Earlier this year, many of Target’s large CPG suppliers had reasons to be nervous. The retailer made clear its plan to differentiate by offering more product choices. Target’s latest message…
What marketing and research must do differently in a data driven age
Gartner defines data driven marketing as “acquiring, analyzing and applying information about customer and consumer wants, needs, context, behavior and motivations.” However, the marketer and marketing researcher should ask: “But…
Aldi wants to make organics affordable for everyone
Aldi has made its name in the U.S. as a no-frills, low-price grocery store with a product selection targeted at budget shoppers. But now Aldi is making moves into organic…
How much is free shipping really costing retailers?
E-commerce retailers have lured shoppers with shipping deals that have now become an expectation. But the last several years have seen extreme price pressures that are making it difficult for…
Did Jeep hack throw a wrench into the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things is a wonderful place that exists sometime in the near future. But for all the good promised, there are also risks, as evidenced by the report…
Starbucks rolls the dice on unconventional Vegas location
There is perhaps no place in the U.S. as synonymous with ostentatious presentation and over-the-top stunts as Las Vegas—a fact that Starbucks intends to use to its advantage with its…
Target gets cheers and jeers for gender-neutral signage
Target is removing gender labels from signs in some of its kids departments following complaints from some customers about signage in stores that designated certain toys for girls. Do you…
A&F to phase out on-call scheduling
Following New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s April decision to investigate “on-call” retail employee schedules, Abercrombie & Fitch has joined the ranks of those phasing out the policy. Will…
Macy’s new private label comes in a Pinot Noir
With the sustained success and popularity of private-label wine, it’s no surprise to see another major retailer rolling out its own wine brand. What may be surprising, however, is that…
Arby’s is really going to miss Jon Stewart
For years Arby’s has served as a comedic tool for Jon Stewart on Comedy Central’s Daily Show. Now the fast food chain will no longer have him to kick it…
Solving the problem of problem-solving on the sales floor
With so many answers at the tips of our fingers, many young people are simply not in the habit of thinking on their feet. Without a lot of experience puzzling…
Target tests beacons, plans nationwide rollout
Earlier this week, Target announced plans to test beacons at stores in markets across the country, beaming special deals and recommendations through the retailer’s mobile app to customers as they…
Netflix’s parental leave policy is a game changer
Netflix changed the game when it came to video rentals. Now, the company has announced a new policy allowing salaried employees, female and male, to take as much time off…
Urban Outfitters’ physical supports its virtual
Urban Outfitters went out of its way late last year to tell analysts that its direct-to-consumer channel was strongly outperforming its stores. If true, why is Urban Outfitters opening 32…
Target pursues a single banner approach
Target announced earlier this week that the company will do away with the CityTarget and TargetExpress banners and rebrand those store formats as simply Target. Do you think the company…
