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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are Retailers Getting the Most Out of Customer Surveys?
A new white paper from the National Grocers Association and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology identifies a myriad of best practices for how grocery store managers track and…
Tesco is Leaving the U.S. What Does That Mean for Fresh & Easy?
Billions of dollars invested later, Tesco’s grand plan to conquer America is now officially over. The company announced that it was getting out of the U.S. Can Fresh & Easy…
Amazon Targets AARP Set With New Store
Amazon.com has announced the launch of its 50+ Active and Healthy Living Store, to make it easier for older consumers to find and buy products that meet their life-stage needs…
Why Are Retailers Struggling to Integrate Shopping Channels?
It has long been known that consumers are looking for a seamless experience when they shop across the various channels offered by brick & click retailers. What is somewhat puzzling…
Will ‘Shipping Its Pants’ Work for Kmart?
From a modern day advertiser’s standpoint, there’s almost nothing better than one of your commercials going viral online, the most recent and obvious case is Kmart’s “Ship My Pants” spot…
Can Democracy Work At Retail?
At Zappos, “Skip Meetings” are held twice a year in which everyone has the opportunity to interact with their manager’s manager. Such efforts helped the online giant land on WorldBlu’s…
Omni-Channel at Macy’s: It’s About Inventory Too
Omni-channel is very much about “inventory optimization through technology,” said Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s Inc., in a talk delivered last week at the Global Retailing Conference…
Will Blogger Super Force Drive Target’s Sales Higher?
Target has recruited 16 women bloggers to form its initial “Inner Circle” of cyberspace influencers. The group gains access to and are feted at special events, but are not paid…
What Can Be Learned From the Schnucks Security Breach?
Schnuck Markets has always had the confidence of consumers in its home market, but that confidence has been shaken with a recent security breach that went on for months before…
Walmart Gives Vendors Access to Backroom Inventory Data
For Walmart suppliers hoping for quicker access to backroom inventory data as they walk the aisles, there’s now an app for that. What do you think of Walmart’s SPARC app?…
Is Facebook Home a Big Deal for Retail?
If you’re a freak for Facebook and you own one of the few Android smartphones that can run the social platform’s new Home app, then you may be in social…
Is Giant Eagle’s Forced Self-Checkout CRM Tactic Smart?
Some Giant Eagle stores have started blocking access to self-checkout for anyone other than loyalty cardholders while they are using their cards. What do you think of Giant Eagle’s move…
What Does Q1 Sales Drop Mean for PCs?
Personal computer sales are headed in the wrong direction. According to International Data Corp., U.S. sales of PCs fell 12.7 percent during the first quarter of 2013, the worst quarterly…
Sears Creates Clothing Business With Star Power
For those about to frock, we salute you! Earlier this week, Sears Holdings announced it had created a new business unit, Shop Your Way Brands, focused on fashion and lifestyle…
What’s the Next Big Food Thing?
Everyone has their own perspective. When it comes to food trends, predictions are wide-ranging. For The Hartman Group, it’s all about health. What do you think are going to be…
MarketingCharts: Why Aren’t More Companies Connecting Big Data Dots for Loyalty Programs?
While most marketers are collecting outside customer data for campaigns, many are not seamlessly integrating the data, causing them to miss out on audience insights that would better inform their…
Will Own Stores Help LG Gain CE Market Share?
LG Electronics is bypassing the middleman and plans to open 600 LG brand stores in developing markets in addition to the 3,000 locations it currently operates. How important is distribution…
Do HQ Locations Have Anything to Do with Retail Success?
Location, location, location is one of the mantras for success in brick & mortar retailing. But does a company’s headquarters location also play a part in whether a given chain…
FRBuyer: To BOGO or Not To BOGO
“Some BOGOs make sense, and some should be avoided.” That’s the view of Jim Hertel, managing partner at Willard Bishop. What are the pros and cons of BOGOs in grocery…
Ace Hardware’s Mobile Ads Change With the Weather
Retailers have not had problems blaming poor results on the weather in the past. Now, Ace Hardware and others have tested using mobile ads that vary offers based on local…
Help Wanted: Robots to Fill Service Jobs
In the not too distant future when retail executives talk about front-line employees being their company’s most important asset, they may be referring to workers of the robotic type. What…
