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Walmart Takes Lead on Controversial Flame Retardant
Walmart is not waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to take action. The world’s largest retailer announced it is banning all products containing a flame retardant that has been…
Is Free Return Shipping for Online Orders Next?
According to a recent survey, 88 percent of respondents rated free return shipping as important, or very important when making a purchasing decision. Will free returns for online purchases become…
Study: Responding to Online Bashers Works
According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 68 percent of consumers who posted a negative review on a social networking or ratings/reviews site for a retailer after a poor…
Why Costco Delays Price Hikes on Muffins
Delaying the inevitable is rarely an admired tactic, but Costco does just that when it comes to raising select food prices in an inflationary period. What do you think of…
CSD: Category Management for C-Stores
Dealing with primary wholesalers, multiple DSD vendors and local foodservice providers stocking a limited amount of space, some c-store chains are looking deeper into category management. What’s the biggest benefit…
Whole Foods CEO Takes Issue with Press Coverage
John Mackey, the co-chief executive of Whole Foods Market, is upset with the press for referring to the chain as “Whole Paycheck.” Do you think John Mackey has a point…
Best Buy Faces Tough Going
It was accepted wisdom two-plus years ago when Circuit City was closing its stores that Best Buy would be one of the biggest beneficiaries. The reality, according to a Wall…
BrainTrust Query: SKU Rationalization Done Right
In a bid to cut expenses and increase revenue, the Girl Scouts are reportedly testing a plan to reduce their assortments to just six different cookies. It’s their own version…
BrainTrust Query: When You Make a Mistake
In spite of the best efforts, the best a business can hope for is to minimize or reduce the number of times mistakes occur. In many instances, it is not…
McDonald’s Without Ronald
McDonald’s is trying to act all mature as it goes for a more upscale and adult shopper. So, where does that leave an iconic clown closing in on 50? Is…
FD Buyer: What Is ‘Natural,’ Anyway?
At long last, a definition for “natural” products may be coming. No, not from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but from the Natural Products Association in Washington. How should definitions…
Tops Expects Big Things From Smaller Format
Tops Markets is the latest retailer looking to use smaller stores to expand into areas it wouldn’t have considered building in before. What potential do you see for the use…
Safeway Puts Executive in Charge of Customer Loyalty
Many retailers talk about customer loyalty and have invested substantial resources. Safeway has decided it can do even better in that area by elevating one of its own to an…
Zappos Makes Nice with Vendors
As part of a determined effort to build more collaborative partnerships, vendors of Zappos are given access to the same information as their buyers, according to a Harvard Business Review…
Here Come the Costco Brides
Costco (that’s right, Costco) is testing full-service wedding boutique departments at some of its clubs. Will women go to Costco to buy their wedding gowns? Will Sam’s and BJ’s follow…
Publishers Find Opportunities Beyond Bookstores
There’s nothing unusual about publishers exploring channels beyond book stores to sell their titles. What’s different today, according to a New York Times report, is the resources they are putting…
BrainTrust Query: Can You Trust Search?
Retailers rely on search engine optimization (SEO) to correctly position their website so they can be found. But The New York Times recently uncovered a situation where retailers were caught…
New Technology Increases Scent of Shopping
No fewer than three industry spokespeople have recently issued puffs (pun intended) agreeing with the British queen of shopping Mary Portas about the value of scenting stores. What do you…
Postponed Purchases a Plenty
Apparently due to a combination of newfound frugality stemming from the downturn as well as a desire to live greener, consumers are delaying purchases on both major to minor purchases,…
BrainTrust Query: Customer Loyalty for Small Businesses
Unlike larger entities, smaller companies have the unique ability to nurture more personal relationships when implementing loyalty strategies. Especially given the more limited resources for smaller businesses, how may loyalty…
Waitrose May Export Prince Charles’ Line to Former Colonies
While the British media loves stories about the so-called special political relationship between the U.S. and U.K., our mutual love of one another’s good food will also soon be enhanced…
