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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Local approach works for Whole Foods
Recently, in a casual dinner conversation, a “know it all” but well-informed industry professional asserted that Whole Foods was doomed to fail. The reason: Store managers are allowed to significantly…
Will Target’s new grocery boss get the job done?
Target CEO Brian Cornell has made it clear that he sees the chain’s grocery business as a “critically important area of opportunity.” No pressure if you’re Anne Dament and you’ve…
Aldi’s upside seems unlimited
It may specialize in a limited assortment of products, but there are very few limits on Aldi as the company continues an impressive growth path up the ranks of grocery…
Are Apple Watch demos a blueprint for future tech product debuts?
One particular aspect of how the Apple Watch rollout was managed could have broader implications for how brick-and-mortar storefronts function in the omnichannel era. What lessons can other brick &…
Retailers want your refund
It’s April 15 and that means Uncle Sam isn’t the only one who wants your money. Pretty much every retailer and restaurant across the land has some kind of pitch…
Are Millennials all that important?
According to Forrester Research’s “The Future of Shopping” report, retailers should be focusing on consumers 45 and older because they have equity in their homes and bigger incomes. Millennials, by…
Retailers asked to explain ‘on-call shifts’
New York’s attorney general thinks big chains operating stores in his state may have crossed a legal line with the use of “on-call shifts,” which depends on staffing software to…
Marketing thinking, fast and slow
In his best-seller, “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” Daniel Kahneman tells us that humans have two decision making systems, the fast system, and the slow system. Marketing used to be a…
Sears is a real estate play after all
Retail industry watchers have been saying for years that Edward Lampert’s acquisitions of Kmart and Sears were nothing more than real estate plays. So the recent news has provided an…
Personalized homepage claimed to be a ‘retail first’
Declaring it a “retail first,” Shop Direct, the U.K.’s fourth largest retailer, last week launched a fully personalized homepage for its flagship brand, Very.co.uk. Does personalization hold more potential to…
Why do Millennials use Facebook and Twitter?
More than nine in 10 U.S. Millennials use Facebook, while fewer than four in 10 use Twitter, according to results from a recently released survey. What do the particular appeals…
Value of farmers’ markets questioned
A new study finds farmers’ markets aren’t as beneficial to urban communities as widely proclaimed. It found that they are priced higher, offer less variety and aren’t as accessible as…
Apple to push customers from its stores to its site
The Apple product launch has become a cultural touchstone as familiar as the Black Friday mob scene. However, the “big splash” product launch may become a thing of Apple’s past…
Amazon sues over fake reviews
Amazon has filed a suit against the operators of several websites that it alleges are in the business of writing fake reviews on its site for profit. Do you support…
Stores need to create a sense of belonging for customers
When visiting colleges to choose, the process one goes through is not dissimilar to how consumers may approach the selection of their preferred retail setting. What’s the key to creating…
Report: Walmart asks vendors to fund Savings Catcher
A new report by Kim Souza at The City Wire claims Walmart is asking vendors for help funding its Savings Catcher program. Are you surprised Walmart is reportedly asking suppliers…
Uniqlo sees U.S. as land of retailing opportunity
Uniqlo, the Japanese fashion retailer known for on-trend clothing at moderate prices, continues to succeed with its slow, but seeming inexorable, expansion across North America. Do you expect Uniqlo to…
What’s next for organic and natural terminology?
While many consumers still rely on broad claims like natural and organic, a growing number are seeking out more specific attributes that meet their own personal criteria for better-for-you. In…
The cloud is about more than ROI
At Oracle’s Industry Connect conference, BrainTrust panelist Nikki Baird heard the most rational explanation for why companies will not just end up adopting cloud delivery of solutions but ultimately need…
EBay’s loss is Amazon Marketplace’s gain
Merchants are leaving eBay for Amazon’s Marketplace. The company is losing business to Amazon for a number of reasons, the biggest being that merchants moving to Amazon are increasing their…
Lane Bryant disses Victoria’s Secret
Lane Bryant, the plus-sized women’s fashion chain, has launched a new marketing campaign that encourages women to take pride and joy in the many sexy shapes and sizes they come…
