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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Better Burgers, Bigger Growth
So-called better burger chains have not been drawn to New Jersey, but chains see big opportunities here and in other places around the country as consumers seek out alternatives to…
Sears Names CEO
It’s probably fair to say that many in and around the retailing business are wondering what Edward Lampert, chairman of Sears Holdings, was thinking when he chose Lou D’Ambrosio, a…
Wegmans Holds Line on Rising Prices
Higher food prices are definitely getting the attention of Americans and Wegmans wants its customers to know that it feels their pain and is taking steps to alleviate it by…
NGA: Food Shopping – Big Changes Ahead
At last week’s National Grocers Association’s annual convention, Phil Lempert (the “SupermarketGuru”) offered some insights into food shopping trends. Based on the predicted trends, in what areas do you think…
BrainTrust Query: Social Media as a Strategy Rather Than a Side Project
When we study the top social media success stories, we still tend to focus on the splashy campaigns that went viral. That’s still TV thinking, but there is more to…
NGA: Independents Can Gain Ground with Digital Marketing
There are certainly some community retailers that understand the potential impact of new processes and technology. This was proved at a workshop on digital shopper marketing at the National Grocers…
Blockbuster on the Block
Blockbuster is still going through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization, but a new twist has been added. A group of note holders in Blockbuster have joined together to…
Retail Customer Experience: Five Ways to Win Back Private Label Switchers
Roughly 74 percent of almost 1,500 consumers recently surveyed by Epsilon Targeting said they shifted to private label in both food and household products. A surprising 61 percent switched in…
Fab.com Deploys the Big Gay Deal of the Day
Fab.com, a gay fashion, style and culture website, recently launched a new daily deal service that specifically offers steep one-time discounts on products and services geared for gay men. What’s…
Chairs Come to East Harlem Retailing
On February 18, community volunteers in East Harlem distributed chairs and window stickers bearing the slogan “Age-friendly New York City” to 50 businesses as part of a larger program led…
Retail TouchPoints: Store Associates Want Mobile Devices For Inventory, Price
According to Motorola’s 2010 Retail Holiday Study, approximately 33 percent of store associates believe they lack the information they need to serve today’s highly connected consumers. Which mobile technologies will…
NGA: Mobile Marketing Not Just for the Big Guys
The independent segment of the supermarket industry has never widely been considered to be at the vanguard of innovation in the latest tech trends. So, the fact that there was…
Don’t Email Me a Happy Birthday!
Email personalization makes complete sense. If you have specific information about your clients, users, etc. you should use it. Except with happy birthday messages. Are you a fan of happy…
Nordstrom Inks Deal to Acquire Hautelook
As acquisitions go, Nordstrom’s agreement to buy the flash sale site Hautelook is not a biggie from a dollars and cents standpoint, but has the potential to be a game…
Walmart’s Loss May Be Toys ‘R’ Us’ Gain
Something unusual happened this past holiday season. Walmart gave up share of toy category sales. Have toy stores as a channel regained the advantage lost over the past couple of…
Borders Looks for Fresh Start After Chapter 11 Filing
Now that Borders Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the question becomes who will be the winners and losers when the saga plays out through Border’s reorganization and…
BrainTrust Query: Death of the Focus Group
Consumer research often attempts to predict future consumer behavior but the reality is that consumers very often say things that don’t correspond at all to what they eventually do in-store…
Safeway Launches Nutritional Label Program
Grocers have tried a variety of nutritional labeling systems to help consumers make wise food choices and gain a competitive advantage in the process. Now, Safeway is introducing its SimpleNutrition…
Rising Food Prices a Global Problem
A World Bank report warns that rapid inflation in food prices is driving up the numbers of impoverished men, women and children around the globe. How will rising prices and…
BrainTrust Query: Tempted to Text
During a recent shopping expedition, BrainTrust Panelist Doug Fleener couldn’t help but notice the number of store employees using cellphones while on the floor. Should store associates be allowed to…
Americans Go Back to the Mall
It’s been a long time since it was “cool” to go to the mall. That may be changing as department stores in malls are gaining market share over those located…
