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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
It’s game on for retailers
Beyond all the glittering new technologies on display, the NRF Big Show had a consistent theme to it, and that is that the mass merchandising days of “stack ’em high…
Store rents challenge chains
Retail occupancy costs could be a problem for retailers seeking rapid expansion in the U.S. as, according to one assessment, developers “have been driving rents to record heights.” Will rents…
Gap closing Piperlime (no big deal)
You can tell by reading the headline in the Gap Inc. press release that the company is looking to downplay any negativity associated with its decision to close Piperlime, its…
Omnichannel – It’s actually working for some retailers
By now, we’re well acquainted with many of the difficulties of implementing a working omnichannel strategy at retail. So it was refreshing to hear that three big name retailers are…
Wrist-wearable messaging heads to the supermarket
Already famous for being the first retailer to use UPC bar code scanners in 1974, Marsh Supermarkets has now become the first to test sending messages to the Apple Watch…
Tommy Hilfiger digitizes the showroom
At its global headquarters in Amsterdam, Tommy Hilfiger has introduced a digital showroom that streamlines and simplifies the traditional product selection and ordering experience through a touchscreen interface. What benefits…
What’s in Amazon’s Wallet? Nothing anymore.
Amazon Wallet, an Android app that Amazon.com developed to store loyalty and gift card information, was supposed to be the e-tail giant’s entry point into mobile payments when the beta…
Container developments a winner for all
Container parks are a cheap, practical way to attract footfall and small retailers with their mixed-use target audience. The Downtown Container Park, which opened in December 2013 and has become…
Target develops line just for its plus-sized ‘guests’
As a number of articles point out, Target hasn’t always gotten along very well with its plus-sized female customers. Now, the company is looking to put things right with the…
Using the Internet of Things to improve the physical shopping experience
New research released by Cisco Consulting Services indicates that retailers who offer Internet of Things (IoT) and hyper-relevant experiences can boost profits by over 15 percent. In an interview with…
Amazon dumps its private label diaper line
Those who thought Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark didn’t have much to worry about when Amazon.com launched its new Elements premium private label disposable diapers in early December appear…
Fast Company on ‘Generation Flux’
Addressing gatherers on the last day of the NRF Big Show, Robert Safian, editor-in-chief and managing director at Fast Company, introduced the concept of “Generation Flux” and what it takes…
Home Depot CEO offers three requirements for success
Profit margins and sales-per-customer have their place of importance, but when it comes to succeeding in retail, three more human strengths are required, said Frank Blake, chairman of the Home…
J.C. Penney brings back catalog strategy to drive online sales
Five years after discontinuing its “Big Book” catalog, J.C. Penney plans to return to a modified print catalog strategy, finding through analysis that online sales were partly driven by what…
Are Stealth Starbucks locations misleading customers?
If you feel good about supporting small local businesses every time you buy your coffee in the morning, you might want to research who really runs your local mom-and-pop. You…
An app that invites hourly workers to ‘co-create workplace happiness’
Some of this century’s most disruptive technologies made their mark by straightening out kinks in human-to-human connectivity and enterprise. Workplace System’s “Workplace Mobile” app could make a comparable impact on…
Is e-commerce’s next move experiential?
Unlike traditional online commerce which is focused on transaction-centric elements, experiential e-commerce seeks to replicate the complete shopping experience consumers are used to facing in a brick-and-mortar store. What do…
Sears Canada reaches out to affected Target workers
Sears Canada is inviting Target employees to apply for open jobs at Sears Canada stores. The company is also offering for a limited time the same employee discount that its…
Walgreens uses ‘multi-motivators’ to influence behavior
Straightforward loyalty programs can no longer be viewed as the single most powerful tool for engagement. This is where multi-motivators come in. The trick is balancing the right number of…
How much does in-store Wi-Fi mean to shoppers?
According to a study from EarthLink Holdings Corp., 27.5 percent of retailers reported increased customer loyalty due to in-store Wi-Fi. How much appeal does in-store Wi-Fi offer to shoppers? Considering…
Must email offers rely on big discounts?
While many stores struggle to wean consumers off coupons and discount offers, at least some are trying to emphasize more personalized offers in their emailing pushes. Can personalization offers reduce…
