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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
BrainTrust Query: I Need an App for My Apps!!
According to a recent study, the most digitally-aided shoppers frequently use more than one shopping app. In addition, individual retailers offer their own specific apps for shoppers. With all the…
Will Vine Grow As a Retailer Marketing Tool?
For those who think there isn’t all that much that can be effectively communicated in a six-second video, you might be mistaken. There is quite a bit that marketers and…
Retail TouchPoints: What’s Causing Slow Mobile POS Rollout?
According to a new report conducted by IHL Group, while 28 percent of retailers plan to adopt mobile POS in some form by the end of 2013, a third have…
Is Safeway Wise to Exit the Canadian Market?
When Safeway made the announcement last week that it was selling its Canadian operations to Sobeys, it appeared to be a classic win-win situation. But a piece on the MarketWatch…
How High is Nordstrom Rack’s Ceiling?
Last year, Nordstrom announced its intentions to double the number of its Rack concept stores by 2016. The chain is comfortable with the expansion as it has found the discount…
RSR Research: Is It Time for Store Employees’ Roles to Change?
If the purpose of the store is no longer mainly about acquiring products, then what are they there for? They’re there for service — that is, they’re going to need…
Who Should Lead Lululemon Next?
Few retail CEO exits are covered by Matt Lauer, but Christine Day’s decision last week to step down from Lululemon for “personal reasons” rated a spot as a topic on…
Should Merchants Share Space to Cut Costs and Build Sales?
It isn’t a new idea, but many retailers think it’s a good one. In order to attract more customers, retailers are sharing space with complementary businesses. Do you see sharing…
Why Aren’t Online Retailers More Concerned About Security?
Online shopper loyalty is typically built on convenience, free shipping and good prices, but if credit card information is stolen or e-mail hacked due to poor security practices, all the…
Will Best Buy See Big Returns From Overhauling its Stores and Website?
Best Buy needs fixing and, to its management’s credit, that’s what the company is attempting to do. Two recently reported cases in point: remaking its personal computer department and overhauling…
How Important is Being Cute to Retail Success?
While marketers of all stripes have long obsessed on what it takes to be “cool,” maybe being “cute” is even more important — at least to the female gender. Why…
RSR Research: Supply Chain is Alive and Kicking and Taking Aim at Merchandising
If there was any part of the supply chain that one could assume is “done,” it would be warehouse design. So why did a presentation on the current state of…
Will Wild Oats Rise Again?
If the reports are true, the Wild Oats banner will soon be back and flying over stores that currently carry the Fresh & Easy name. What do you think of…
What Does MD Love Mean for Future Success of In-Store Clinics?
The negative reaction in-store clinics received from doctors when the concept first rolled out may be changing as the number of in-store clinics appears set to double by 2015. Do…
Retail Customer Experience: Should Retailers Replace the 4 Ps With the 4 Cs?
Successful retailers are quickly finding that this has become an environment where omni-channel is the new normal. In this consumer-centric world, virtual shelf will be as important as physical shelf…
How Can Retailers More Effectively Use E-Mail to Drive Holiday Sales?
E-mailing shoppers during the fourth quarter holiday season may not be the sexiest way to boost sales, but according to a presentation at last week’s Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition,…
Will More Full-Timers Give Cumberland Farms a Competitive Edge?
While some large retail chains plan to reduce workers’ hours to avoid covering them under the “Pay or Play” provision in the Affordable Care Act, Cumberland Farms, a 600-store convenience…
What’s Behind High Shopper Satisfaction Rates for E-Commerce Sites?
According to a study commissioned by UPS, 70 percent of more than 3,000 online shoppers surveyed in February indicated they prefer to shop their favorite retailer online. What lessons should…
How Will Retail Look in a Warby Parker Future?
The story of Warby Parker, an eyeglass brand/retailer is so “out of the box” that it makes you wonder about the future of long established chain retailers, and some brands…
Why Do Millionaires Prefer to Shop at Walmart in Canada?
Over the years, Walmart has attempted but failed to attract a more upscale audience in the U.S. That issue does not appear to have dogged Walmart in Canada. What is…
BrainTrust Query: In the Loyalty Marketing World, Time is Treasure
As the saying goes, people have three principle assets to contribute to an organization or cause, their “time, talent, and treasure.” Too often, the “treasure” simply equates to “my money.”…
