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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Consensus Advisors: New CEO Facing Uphill Battle to Transform Penney
J.C. Penney is everything the Apple store isn’t. A department store is predicated on the ability to attract consumers by offering a wide variety of merchandise under one roof. Has…
Amazon Android Phone a Really Good/Bad Idea
Amazon, apparently buoyed by the positive response to its new Kindle Fire, may be looking to add an Android smartphone to its product lineup. If true, it could be a…
BrainTrust Query: Main Street Needs Small Business Saturday
Comments on an article about the American Express Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, outlined reasons why several downtown businesses weren’t participating. Many of the merchants wrote about the high fees…
CPGmatters: ConAgra Aims to Integrate Digital into Shopper Marketing
For ConAgra Foods, the issue is not how to create a digital strategy, but rather how to integrate it into its overall shopper marketing approach. In what ways is social…
Tesco Launches Augmented Reality Test
Tesco last week began a trial of augmented reality technology that allows shoppers to see 3D projections of products before they buy them, both in stores and online. What do…
To Hate or ‘Unhate’, That is Benetton’s Question
In its latest attempt to take on weightier issues than fashion, the controversy seeking Benetton chain has launched a new ad campaign that uses computer altered photos of world leaders,…
Online Merchants Thinking Inside the Box
Several weeks ago, one of the resident teenagers here received a large corrugated box from an Amazon.com affiliate. Anxious to open it, he ripped open the box and found, ta-da,…
Retail Customer Experience: Robotic Kiosk Taking Self-Service to Next Level
A robot-making ice cream server may sound like science fiction, but it’s not fiction. Allan Jones, CEO of Robofusion, believes his ice cream kiosks will change the way retailers sell…
Coupons, Promo Codes Tied to Big Jump in Online Sales
According to research from Ipsos conducted for RetailMeNot.com, online coupon usage from that site increased 23 percent year-over-year for the three months prior to November; merchant sales connected to coupons…
BrainTrust Query: Google Street View to Take Consumers Inside of Stores
If you use Google maps, then you’re probably familiar with Street View. In April of this year Google began expanding the concept to include 360-degree photography of interior business spaces…
H-E-B Goes Adventuring in Toyland
Last year, H-E-B opened a Toyland pop-up store during the holidays and was encouraged by the results. This year, the company is planning on opening at least three of the…
O.co is Out in Overstock Name Change Part Two
When Overstock.com announced earlier this year that it was making a big push on its name change to O.co, many were less than enthusiastic. Okay, a lot of people thought…
PL Buyer: Private Label Should Follow National Brands’ Lead on Marketing
While the concept of the “brand tax” remains relevant — and retailers need to maintain the price gap and margin advantage of their private brands over national brands — the…
Best Buy Taps Home Energy Market
According to a company press release, Best Buy’s new Home Energy concept provides products and services to help consumers understand where their energy dollars are going and what they can…
StorefrontBacktalk: M-Commerce Looks Healthy for the Holidays – But Not That Healthy
‘Tis the season for mobile-commerce hype: On Tuesday (Nov. 8), Sybase and the Mobile Marketing Association announced that, according to an October survey, 62 percent of consumers are “poised to…
Walmart Focused on Taking On (Out) Amazon
Compared by total sales, Amazon is not even in Walmart’s class. When it comes to online performance, however, the story is completely different. Now, according to an Advertising Age article,…
Worker to Target: Delay Black Friday Opening
A number of comments in last week’s RetailWire discussion on stores opening on Thanksgiving Day talked about the negative effect such policies have on workers. One Target worker was so…
Starbucks Looking to Juice Up Sales in 2012
Starbucks last week acquired juice maker Evolution Fresh Inc. for $30 million as part of a plan to launch a new chain of health and wellness stores in the coming…
Retail Customer Experience: Consumers Tune Out Stores Playing Annoying Music
Half of Britain’s shoppers have left a store because they were annoyed by the music, according to a study by Immedia Plc, a company that develops music strategies for retailers…
BrainTrust Query: Companies Party with a Purpose
Recently, one of Dynamic Experiences Group’s clients announced to their employees that the traditional holiday party would be replaced by an event that will enable people to give back to…
Devising Clicks-to-Bricks Linkages
On Tuesday, start-up Linkable Networks announced a partnership with 24/7 Real Media that will allow advertisers to link deals to virtually any debit or credit card. What potential benefits do…
