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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Walmart puts new focus on animal welfare, antibiotic use
What’s in our food and what’s coming out? That appears to be the story of the moment as announcements are made almost on a daily basis, that steps are being…
How to help associates conquer their selling fears
The death of creativity and imagination are at the heart of low sales in retail shops around the world. Some think technology is the answer — not Bob Phibbs. Do…
Chain drives private label sales with local angle
Local sourcing has come a long way. Today, locally produced products are a big deal in retail marketing, and Seattle-based Bartell Drugs has used its 125-year history in the Puget…
Retailers count on mobile ads
With consumers increasingly turning to multiple screens for research and buying, retailers are doubling down on mobile advertising to reach them throughout the purchase process, according to reports. Do you…
How can physical stores tap user reviews?
According to a PowerReviews, 70 percent of consumers are interested in accessing product ratings and reviews while in-store. Are smartphones too limited in their ability to bring user reviews to…
Zappos pays up to support Holacracy vision
Zappos has recently been making making waves with its new “Holacracy” model, a “comprehensive practice for structuring, governing and running an organization” that “instills rapid evolution in the core processes…
Kohl’s new concept features returned merchandise
It’s hard to think of a retailer that seemingly offers a different sale every hour as getting into the off-price game, but that’s exactly what Kohl’s plans to do with…
Will QR codes put an end to counterfeit goods sold online?
QR codes are often regarded as a marketing fad of debatable usefulness. Alibaba, however, may have found a good use for the much-maligned configurations of squares, one the e-tailing giant…
Developing an appetite for 3-D printed food
A survey from Chubb Group of Insurance Companies found that consumers are open to 3-D printing across a wide range of products. For food, however, a hearty appetite hasn’t developed…
Shoppers find better deals on markdown than in outlets
One of the arguments in favor of a retailer pursuing an off-price or outlet strategy is to help get marked down inventory off the floors of flagship stores. Another plus,…
Marketers are a long way from having a single view of customers
Only six percent of marketers say they have attained a single view of customers to support their cross-channel marketing goals, according to a study from Signal, the marketing technology vendor…
Nordstrom customers can now shop by text
Nordstrom has launched a new service that enables customers to make purchases by sending text messages to the sales associate or personal stylist that is serving them. Do you think…
Target puts RFID rollout on the fast track
Target plans to complete one of the largest rollouts of item-level radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in retailing by next year. What will implementation of item-level RFID tracking in categories…
Kroger develops disabled worker program DCs
In 2006, Walgreens launched what turned out to be a very successful program to employ disabled workers across its distribution network that continues to this day. Why have retailers been…
Are Millennials the only ones shunning the drive-thru?
George Anderson’s days pulling up to a fast food chain’s drive-through to purchase burgers and fries are over, for all practical purposes. And his three resident Millennials have asked for…
Deloitte: Digital moving closer to dominating physical retail
Digital interactions are expected to influence 64 cents of every dollar spent in retail stores by the end of 2015, or $2.2 trillion, according to Deloitte Digital’s latest study, “Navigating…
IKEA tests hybrid pick-up stores
In Canada, IKEA is testing two smaller stores that work as pick-up spots for their faraway larger stores but also allow enough room to sell the chain’s best sellers. Should…
Starbucks and Spotify to create new musical super group
As music continues to play an important role in the Starbucks experience, it may become even more prominent with the announcement the coffee chain is partnering with Spotify to link…
Target may remove big food from store shelves
Target is looking to differentiate itself from the competition in grocery and that means, in part, offering products not found on the shelves of other stores. Of course, many of…
Google now testing ‘buy’ button
In what is being seen as a potential challenge to Amazon but perhaps a conflict for retailers, Google plans to begin testing “buy buttons” in coming weeks. Do the benefits…
Proximity parking app drives retail sales
Retailers are finding yet another critical use for beacons: parking. Shoppers who park and receive messages on their smartphones from businesses nearby are 30 percent more likely to visit that…
