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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Retailers, Equity Firms Consider J. Crew Bids
When we last visited J. Crew in November, the company had announced it would be acquired by TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners. Now, a new Bloomberg News report…
Disney Works Its Magic on Wait Times
Walt Disney, already praised for its crowd control expertise at its theme parks, is taking the managing of wait times to another level, because video games and smartphones are feeding…
‘Everyday Joes’ Star in Dunkin’ Donuts’ Campaign
Dunkin’ Donuts is turning to the man (and woman) on the street to help it gain an advantage in the competition for hot and cold coffee drinkers. The chain announced…
The Many Sides of Sears’ Clothing Business
When Sears launched its “The Many Sides of Me” campaign last year, many questioned whether it was going all-in to succeed. Yesterday, the company announced the hire of Lana Cain…
Compete Blog: I’m the Mayor! So What?
Gowalla boasts that you’ll “find inspiration to explore the world around you while picking up rewards.” Similarly, Foursquare says that it’s “a mobile application that makes cities easier to use…
FreshDirect CEO Looks to Smooth Path, Post Blizzard
A letter from Rick Braddock, chairman and CEO of FreshDirect, offered an apology to customers of the online grocery service for disruptions caused by the “sixth most severe snow storm…
Rebound Won’t Slow Down Dollar Store Growth
The theory that the Great Recession has changed American consumers forever will be put to the test in the dollar store channel, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years…
RSR Research: The Customer Data Challenge
Last year, BrainTrust panelist Nikki Baird predicted that we would see a shift toward “transparent retailing” largely driven by three trends, but since progress hasn’t been made, suggests a focus…
Retailers Land on Times Square
Daffy’s, the women’s apparel discount chain, recently became the latest retailer to sign a lease in the revitalized Times Square shopping district. What value do you put on having flagships…
BrainTrust Query: 2011 Predictions for Retail Technology
It could be that 2011 will be marked by the maturation of several technologies instead of brand new things we’ve not seen before. Which of the retail technology predictions mentioned…
Will Rising Gas Prices Derail Retail Recovery?
Holiday retail sales are expected to be well above those of last year but unemployment remains high, the housing crisis has not abated, and the average price of a gallon…
Nissan Leaf’s Neat Mass Feedback Trick
In mid-December, Nissan’s first all-electric Leaf vehicles hit the streets of San Francisco, but it took a couple of weeks before someone noticed an interesting interactive feature built into the…
Are Extroverts or Introverts Better Leaders?
The thinking that leaders are extraverts is not necessarily the case, according to an article from The Wharton School. Do extroverted or introverted people make better leaders at retail? Is…
Amazon Encourages Rejects Rather Than Returns
Retailers and consumers both dread returns. But Amazon has apparently found a solution for both parties, quietly patenting a procedure that lets recipients avoid undesirable gifts. What do you think…
Giving the Gift of Food
Well beyond fruitcake, eggnog and Christmas cookies, food is apparently becoming an increasingly popular item for holiday-gift giving. What is driving the apparent increase in food as a holiday gift…
BrainTrust Query: Dealing with Unhappy Holiday Customers
During the days surrounding Christmas, almost all of a store’s customers will be delightful to work with. But, inevitably, one or two will be stressed out, unhappy customers. What obvious…
Snowstorm Delays Post-Christmas Action
The blizzard that struck the Northeast on the day after Christmas left many industry prognosticators speculating on whether greater markdowns would be forthcoming. How critical is the day after Christmas…
Sampling Not For Food Only
In a move towards greater hospitality and convenience, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. and Westin Hotels & Resorts may have come up with a solution for the traveler who wishes…
Watching the Retail Detectives
Well before retailers officially report their holiday sales results, Wall Street analysts and other retail observers regularly scour stores for telltale clues on whether sell-throughs are going as planned. Do…
BrainTrust Query: Why Your Incentive Plan Might Be Killing Sales
Daniel Pink’s most recent work, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” suggests that traditional do-this-get-that reward systems not only often have a minimal effect on performance but can…
Best Buy Sees Retail in Hospitals
Flower shops, coffee shops and other places to buy books, magazines and gifts are ubiquitous in hospitals. What is there to add? Best Buy sees room. How would you rate…
