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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Should Macy’s sell its stores and lease them back?
Jeffrey Smith, co-founder and CEO of Starboard Value hedge fund — and the man Fortune labeled as “the investor CEOs fear most” — thinks Macy’s stock is undervalued and he…
Shoe store chain publicly dumps RFID
In an odd press release, Peltz Shoes, a six-store chain in Florida, announced it was dumping RFID tagging of its shoe boxes over technical issues as well as higher labor…
Is the future of upscale grocery in Aurora, IL?
With a slew of upscale grocery chains jostling to differentiate themselves, the recently opened Cosmopolitan Marketplace in Aurora, IL joins in with a slate of features, some of which make…
How steep is the creep factor?
More shoppers are demanding better store experiences, most not aware that to get more personal and relevant communications in brick and mortar, they must “give to get”. A survey from…
Aldi’s new web series is a hit
Aldi, the limited assortment grocery chain, has already been named “Supermarket of the Year” in Europe. Now, the company wants to replicate its feat in the U.S. and has debuted…
The value of trade shows to the retail industry
There has been an ongoing debate about the value of trade shows, conventions and conferences to the retailing industry. But trade shows still have a lot of value, if done…
Walmart and Amazon trade shots
Last week, Amazon.com announced the launch of Prime Day, a sales event for Prime members offering even more deals than Black Friday. As widely expected, Walmart has answered back with…
J.Crew tests its own Old Navy
J.Crew is planning to open a new concept store for customers who like the company’s fashion style, but not its prices. Will J.Crew Mercantile drive incremental sales and profits for…
Which digital tools impact online shoppers?
Retailer sites, printable coupons and retailer emails are the most commonly used digital tools by online shoppers, though they’re not the ones wielding the greatest impact on shoppers’ journeys, details…
Should stores charge for BOPIS?
Claiming the current free service is “unsustainable” for retailers and logistical suppliers, John Lewis, the U.K. department store chain, is introducing a £2 charge for click and collect orders under…
Will a German laundry import give Walmart leverage with P&G?
Walmart has brought one of Europe’s most popular premium laundry brands to the U.S. as an exclusive. Walmart has said it is introducing the line to deliver more options to…
A fresh approach designed to boost frozen sales
Giant Eagle is creating a “healthy aisle” at the start of the frozen department. Some might shrug this off as nothing new, but there are subtleties here with far-reaching implications…
Is Toys ‘R’ Us ready to manage its websites in-house?
Following a notable failure to run its own websites in the late ’90s, Toys “R” Us announced yesterday that the company is in the process of bringing its U.S. e-commerce…
Target’s ‘Open House’ is all about IoT
The smart home is here. You can’t move in, but you can take a walk through as Target debuts “Open House,” a 3,500-sq. ft. concept store designed to demonstrate how…
Amazon tests ‘Treasure Truck’ service In Seattle
Amazon is rolling out a Treasure Truck delivery service in the Seattle area providing consumers with access to limited-quantity goods on sale every day. What do you see as the…
Amazon sued over search results
A suit filed by a military-style watchmaker, Multi Time Machine, that claims that Amazon.com’s search results are confusing customers and leading them to purchase products other than its own. Do…
How should retail prepare for the Internet of Things?
For retail, IoT isn’t really about a few confined “marketing” use-cases, but potentially how people shop. What steps, if any, should retailers be taking now to prepare for the eventual…
Will Albertsons sink or swim following its IPO?
Five months after Albertsons Companies, Inc., owned by a consortium led by Cerberus Capital, closed its deal to merge with Safeway and become the second largest supermarket chain operator in…
Starbucks called out for ‘padding profits’
When people spend as much as they do to buy coffee at Starbucks, you wouldn’t think they would pay much attention when a cup goes up five to 20 cents…
The five stupidest questions to ask shoppers
“Most retailers don’t make us feel comfortable enough to buy from them,” writes Bob Phibbs in introducing the five stupid questions never to ask your shoppers. What are some of…
CVS blows off U.S. Chamber over tobacco lobbying
CVS Health is leaving the U.S. Chamber of Commerce following news the organization lobbied governments overseas to weaken restrictions on the sale and use of tobacco products. Do you approve…
