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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Why Amazon is OK and Google is not
From purely the consumer’s perspective, two events came up in the news lately that have led BrainTrust Panelist Nikki Baird to the conclusion that, in general, consumers think Amazon is…
It’s Twinkies time at Big Lots
Yesterday, along with Hostess, Big Lots announced it has been named the Official Hostess Thrift Outlet, and would begin selling Twinkies, CupCakes, etc. at its stores at up to 40…
BK looks to out-big McD’s
You can almost hear the taunt coming from the playground. “My burger is bigger than your burger. Nah, nah, nah, nah.” That, in essence, is Burger King’s strategy to knock…
The payments industry is ripe for disruption
After attending two conferences in Miami Beach related to payments and currency, BrainTrust panelist Paula Rosenblum came away with a strong and profound feeling that the payment industry is ripe…
Showrooming moves beyond barcodes
With the aid of augmented reality, an enhanced showrooming tool has arrived with the new Amazon app update. Instead of needing to take a photo of an item or scanning…
Can brokers reinvent themselves?
Consolidation, centralized buying and technology have forced brokers to adapt repeatedly. New challenges include static sales, online ordering and pay-for-service restructuring, all of which have brought less of a need…
A computer that knows your thoughts and feelings
It won’t be long before the computer you’re reading this from can read your mind. Emoshape, a U.K. startup focusing on emotional technology, has built the EmoSPARK, what it’s calling…
Pop-up shop to trade in social currency
Designer Marc Jacobs is opening a Daisy fragrance pop-shop in New York’s SoHo neighborhood today but customers don’t need cash or cards to buy items. What they will need is…
Will DIY Coke change the soft drink market?
Consumers like the convenience and variety drink machines offer. Now, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which makes Keurig machines, is looking to do the same thing with cold beverages, announcing that…
The three most important words for loyalty marketing in 2014
Setting annual goals can be a precarious venture. So BrainTrust panelist Bill Hanifin has elected to forecast the most important trends and areas of change in customer and loyalty marketing…
WinCo brings big box with low prices to North Texas
WinCo Foods – the limited assortment, low-price, employee-owned grocery store operator, which has been called “Walmart’s worst nightmare” – has opened its first store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and…
Will frugal lovers spoil Valentine’s Day for retailers?
Sales for the recent Christmas season were an improvement over previous years, but bargain hunters kept a lid on revenues and profits. Now the question becomes, will consumers stick to…
CVS to walk away from $2 billion in cigarette sales
CVS may not be the first to stop selling tobacco products, but the drugstore chain’s announcement is big for no other reason than the sheer size of the company’s tobacco…
Mall operator puts twist on click and collect program
Two retail service providers have found a new way to collaborate for the benefit of retailers and consumers alike. Westfield, a global shopping center group, has partnered with parcel service…
Wall Street not impressed with Penney’s positive news
It’s been a long time since J.C. Penney posted positive same-store sales numbers for a quarter. But Penney’s two percent gain was seen as a disappointment and the company’s share…
Reinventing the retail app for in-store success
Why exactly does a retail store need a good mobile app? There are two reasons. First, smartphones are stealing attention from the in-store experience. Second, research is showing shoppers who…
Saks outlets to get sloppier
Following its November acquisition by Hudson’s Bay Co., Saks plans to make its Off 5th outlet boutiques “a little more unkempt” to better connect with bargain hunters, according to a…
Study says sugar is killing us
Forget about adding that teaspoon of sugar to help the medicine go down. According to a new study, adding sugar to packaged foods and drinks may be a big reason…
The Super Bowl was bad. Were the commercials even worse?
Yesterday’s Super Bowl game was one of the worst we can remember. And unfortunately for the millions who watch the game for the commercials, this year’s crop may have actually…
How elastic is Amazon Prime’s subscription price?
On a conference call last week with analysts, Amazon officials indicated they were exploring raising the price of Prime, its $79 yearly subscription service that includes free two-day shipping. To…
How you measure success goes a long way toward achieving it
Years ago, Mark Heckman took part in a strategic discussion with Feargal Quinn, the iconic Irish grocery retailer. Mr. Quinn noted that the very first thing he did each morning…
