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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Help Wanted on Immigration
One of the arguments made against accepting illegal immigrants in the U.S. is that they are taking the jobs of American citizens. Those arguing against that line of thinking have…
Sears Adds Vaca to Layaway Plan
Sears is adding to its layaway plan. Now, customers can go beyond winter holiday purchases and plan and pay — over time — for vacations through Sears Vacations. Will Sears…
BrainTrust Query: Shoppers Are Changing. Sales Promotions, Not So Much
“Deal mentality” is not a fad. While the economy will eventually cycle back to better times, the impetus for many shoppers to seek the best deal will not soon be…
Marketing and IT On Different Planets
According to a new survey from IBM, 60 percent of marketers point to their lack of alignment with the company’s IT department as the biggest obstacle to reaching today’s consumers…
Mickey Takes on ‘Junk Food’
Walt Disney recently announced plans to become the first media giant to ban “junk food” ads from its kids programming. By 2015, all food and beverage products advertised will have…
BrainTrust Query: Apple Passport a Potential Game Changer
The biggest news at Apple’s recent Worldwide Developer’s Conference had to be Apple Passport. While consumers see the ease and utility of being able to have coupons, boarding passes, movie…
Starbucks to Open a Tea Store
Starbucks has become synonymous with coffee in a big way over the years. Now, the coffee company is looking to branch out and plans to open its first coffee-free/tea-only store…
Apple Store Employees to Get a Raise
Research reports in recent years have shown that managing and compensating retail associates more like a skilled workforce than than an unskilled one pays off in both top and bottom…
Study: Loyal Customers Are More Effective Advocates in Social Marketing
New research presented with social marketing group, BzzAgent, at this year’s ARF Audience Measurement 7.0 Conference shows how important loyal customers are to the success of advocacy marketing programs. As…
Another OT Suit Settled in Retail Land
This week, Rite Aid settled a lawsuit by some 6,000 current and former assistant store managers and co-managers for unpaid overtime. These settlements have become common in recent years as…
The Social/Mobile Dilemma: The Buck Stops Where?
A new survey of 798 senior executives from around the planet finds an Abbott and Costello-like situation when it comes to who within companies is responsible for newer customer communication…
Penney CEO Taking Over Chain’s Advertising
Two days ago former Target exec Michael Francis left the department store chain without explanation. In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Mr. Francis’ now ex-boss Ron Johnson set the…
Study Finds Walmart Beats Amazon on Price
New research from Kantar Retail that looked at 36 items from four categories found that Amazon.com’s market basket basket was 20.5 percent higher than the same items sold in one…
FDBuyer: Menu Fees, ‘Over Easy’
Johnny Harris’ introduction to merchandising money was back in the late ’70s when he asked a manufacturer to pay $200 for an item. He really didn’t want to add the…
BrainTrust Query: Surprising New Study on Facebook Marketing Effectiveness for Brands
RetailWire BrainTrust panelist Joel Rubinson recently partnered with Compete, Inc. on what is believed to be the first study that precisely measures the effect of ‘liking’ a brand on Facebook…
Walgreens on Global Path, Buys Stake in Alliance Boots
Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chain in the U.S., has announced a deal giving it a 45 percent stake in Alliance Boots, the biggest drugstore operator in Europe. The deal appears…
Saks Places ‘Help Wanted’ Sign on Facebook
Typically when the topic of Facebook comes up in relation to retail, the discussion centers around its value as a marketing/customer engagement tool. Saks Fifth Avenue is exploring another opportunity…
BrainTrust Query: Amazon Showrooming – Reasons Your Retail Store is Susceptible
“Customers walking into your store no longer are … using all the beautiful displays, premium products and employees to cancel out any suspicions they have before they buy online,” says…
Apple’s Secret for Creating Insanely Loyal Customers
Employees who open an Apple Store use an iPhone app to create a slight-angle positioning for each notebook display “to encourage customers to adjust the screen to their ideal viewing…
Is Dad a Savvier Shopper than Mom?
While recent studies show dads having more influence on grocery shopping, a new one found that they’re also demonstrating a lot more forethought and preparation than moms. Considering some of…
Microsoft Technology to Serve Ads Based on Your Mood
Talk about finding new ways to Kinect with consumers. As initially reported by GeekWire, in 2010 Microsoft filed a patent application for a technology that would deliver ads based on…
