RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Center store managers: Heinz-Kraft merger ain’t no big deal
The big news in the CPG and grocery retailing business this week was the announced deal by 3G Capital and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway to acquire a controlling interest in…
Macy’s is still trying to figure out Millennials
Macy’s plans to move into off-price may have as much to do with a slowdown in its higher-end product sales as it does with observing the success of off-price formats…
Balancing surprise and simplicity for better customer experiences
Of all the different approaches to customer experience, there are two that seem to have come to the forefront in common discourse — we’ll call them “surprise and delight” and…
Can retailers get the discount monkey off their backs?
According to a piece in The Washington Post, merchants are once again trying to break the discounting habit. Whether it will ultimately set them free or lead to top and…
Are supermarkets in danger of losing male shoppers?
Men now make up 43 percent of primary shoppers and are shopping more frequently, making just as many monthly store visits as women, according to a new report, “Food Shopping…
Abt expands single store empire
When merchants think of building retail empires they typically envision opening location after location across wide geographic areas. Abt Electronics and Appliances has taken a different approach. It simply continues…
Walmart using discounts to drive BOPIS grocery biz
Walmart has always been about low prices, so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the retailer is using discounts as a means to drive traffic for its buy…
Is gift-with-purchase underused?
A gift with purchase is a great tool for driving customers back into a store, engaging those customers, and building higher sales. They’re also great for customers because they get…
Store closings part of Fresh & Easy plan to reinvent convenience
It’s easy to see this week’s announcement that Fresh & Easy is closing 50 stores in three states as a sign that Yucaipa’s ownership of the chain is going no…
Checkouts are tougher than rocket science
Spending some excessive time on a checkout line recently got George Anderson thinking back to something his mother used to say. “They figured out how to put a man on…
IKEA is banning hide-and-seek, kids
While many stores are plotting ways to encourage experiential engagement with shoppers, hide-and-seek apparently crosses the line. IKEA last week banned the game in the Netherlands for safety reasons. What…
Will Walgreens acquire Rite Aid?
Walgreens, once known for growing the organic way, may be looking to add stores in the U.S. through acquisition. The speculation is that Rite Aid, the third largest drugstore chain…
Retailer coalition makes for stronger loyalty program
Loyalty marketing in the U.S. just branched out into new territory with the planned launch by American Express of Plenti, a coalition loyalty program. What factors will be essential to…
Are app frustrations loyalty crushers?
While a slow checkout line, an awkward return process or a snarky sales associate can play havoc with consumer loyalty, a poor app experience can be equally detrimental, argues CA…
Whole Foods hosts first-ever ‘Beauty Week’
Whole Foods Market kicked off its inaugural “Beauty Week,” Mar. 18 through 24, “to celebrate all things beauty related.” Whole Body departments are hosting various events to inform shoppers about…
TAG Heuer to give Apple smartwatch competition
According to consensus estimates, Apple is expected to sell more than 22 million units of its new smartwatch this year. Those projections may need to be adjusted, however, now that…
Critics: Amazon hasn’t a clue about modern American families
A shift in parental responsibilities in modern American families is having an impact on retailers. A case in point is the online ire being directed at Amazon Mom, the e-tailer’s…
Is selling shameful?
For most of us, when we hear the term “salesperson,” we default to visions of a sleazy fast talker who is self-centered, egotistical and willing to lie to accomplish their…
Target ups customer service ante with one-year return policy
Target is standing behind its brands — all of them. Yesterday the retailer announced it would give its customers a full-year to return or exchange any item that is part…
Starbucks gets scalded with response to #RaceTogether campaign
If Howard Schultz and Starbucks’ management team didn’t already know, they certainly do now — no good deed, or attempt at one, goes unpunished. Will Starbucks’ #RaceTogether campaign ultimately help…
‘YouTubers’ are better influencers than TV stars
Slightly more than six in 10 youths aged 13-24 would try a product or brand suggested by a YouTube star (“YouTuber”) while fewer than half would try a product or…
