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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Does the NFL Have a Gen Z Problem?
The NFL, according to numerous reports, faces a challenge reaching Gen Zers, a troubling trend not only for the league but for the scores of advertisers backing America’s most popular…
Will Banana Republic’s New Store Design and Layout Make a Difference?
Retail interior design and store layout are two fundamental factors that shape and influence a store’s customer experience and performance. How does adding experiential elements affect the balance between visual…
How Will Holiday 2024 Shape Up?
Early forecasts for holiday spending are generally mixed due to uncertainty created by inflation effects, potential interest rate cuts, and a volatile election season. Salesforce last week predicted a 2%…
Should More Retailers Be Opening Pop-Up Shops?
Pop-up shops are temporary retail spaces that have been invaluable to e-commerce and mobile brands that do not have permanent physical store locations. What future trends or challenges could impact…
Why Are ERP Implementations So Hazardous?
Ulta Beauty has become the latest firm to face snags caused by the rollout of a new ERP (enterprise resource planning) system. What factors can help ensure a successful ERP…
Is Chick-fil-A the Fast-Food Chain To Beat?
Chick-fil-A seems to be maintaining a lead in the fast-food industry without much of a hitch. How do its recent innovations reflect broader trends in retail and fast food in…
Is the Dollar Store Channel Structurally Challenged?
Shares of Dollar General last Thursday tumbled by about 30% after a second-quarter shortfall raised concerns that dollar stores in general are losing share to Walmart, Target, ALDI, Temu, and…
Should More Brands Find Partners in the Sports Industry?
This past month saw many brands announcing partnerships with athletes and entities in the sports industry, even if the retail brands themselves weren’t inherently connected to anything athletic. How do…
Why Are So Many Limited-Edition Food Brand Collaborations Arriving?
Coca-Cola and OREO became the latest iconic food and beverage brands to collaborate on two new, limited-edition food and beverage products inspired by each other. What benefits do you see…
Should 7-Eleven Accept Circle K’s Takeover Bid?
Circle K, owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard, has proposed a $38 billion bid to acquire 7-Eleven, potentially marking the largest foreign takeover in Japan. How might this acquisition impact the U.S…
Should Workers Have the ‘Right to Disconnect’?
Australia became the latest country to give employees the “right to disconnect” outside their standard working hours to support work-life balance in an “always on” digital world. Do you see…
Should Other Retailers Offer New Franchisee Incentive Packages Like Batteries Plus?
Batteries Plus is launching an impressive incentive package valued at over $107,000 to attract new franchisees who commit to opening a store by the end of 2024. What is the…
Should Burberry Give Up Its Luxury Aspirations?
Some analysts believe that Burberry should abandon its push to move upmarket to join Gucci, Dior, Prada, and other pure luxury brands and instead settle into the aspirational tier of…
What Impact Will Walmart’s ‘Let’s Grow!’ Initiatives Make?
At the Let’s Grow! 2024 Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit this week, Walmart unveiled several major developments. How might these new initiatives influence the evolution of niche markets and specialty retail…
Why Is Social Media Driving Gen Z’s Gift Discovery?
A number of recent surveys confirm that social media has become the go-to place for Gen Zers looking for holiday gifts. Will Gen Zers continue to leverage social media platforms…
What Should Other Retailers Learn From the Walmart+ and Burger King Team-Up?
Walmart+ has launched its first dining perk through a new partnership with Burger King, offering its members significant savings. How might incorporating fast-food perks into a retail membership program like…
Will a Non-Refrigerated Grocer Appeal to Canada’s Bargain Hunters?
Loblaw is piloting a smaller, deep-discount grocery format that excludes refrigerated departments as one step to deliver lower food prices. What will No Name’s success depend on?
Will New Grocery Delivery Subscription Options Help Amazon?
Amazon is enhancing its grocery delivery options with new subscription plans for Prime and Prime Access members. With Amazon’s push into grocery delivery, how can technology and data analytics improve…
When Does Store-Within-a-Store Provide Equal Benefits?
In a column for Toronto’s The Globe and Mail, Joanne McNeish, a marketing professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the store-within-a-store concept is a win-win for both partners as long…
Is 7-Eleven’s New Regional App Something Other Retailers Should Try?
7-Eleven Hawaiʻi has launched a new mobile app, though it is currently available only at the 67 stores across O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i Island. Should retailers start considering having…
Has Sierra’s Growth Been Good for the Outdoor Space?
Sierra has become the dominant off-price retailer in the outdoor and active space with TJX Cos.’s help, and vendors see more positives than negatives in the rapid growth. Do you…
