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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Starbucks Shopping for CPGs
With thousands of locations in the U.S., there is no question that Starbucks is all “stored up” here, so where does the company turn for domestic growth? Is Starbucks on…
BrainTrust Query: The Future of Location-Based Marketing
The Location Based Marketing Summit held recently in New York blended strategic and tactical insights about location-based marketing techniques. What does the future hold for location-based marketing?
Amazon Ready to Take Walmart’s Low Price Crown
What would Walmart be if it were no longer thought of as the low price leader at retail? It may not be a purely academic question for long. Is Walmart…
Here Comes the Nordstrom Bride
Nordstrom is looking to get its share of the bridal business with the opening of 14 new salons in its stores. In a test at nine locations, Nordstrom saw a…
The Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store Wars
Mimicking the pizza delivery wars of the eighties, retail turf battles are occurring in the “Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store” arena, according to Kurt Salmon Associates. What challenges will retailers…
Reports: Google to Buy Groupon
According to several reports, Google is either close to a deal or has already agreed to buy Groupon with terms said to be anywhere from $2.5 billion to $6 billion…
The End of Pantry Loading As We Know It
Just-in-time is a familiar methodology, designed to keep cash flowing and stock levels manageable. More recently, consumers have been getting in on the act. Does it make sense that there…
Cyber Monday: The Hype and Sales Continue
According to Shop.org, 90 percent of retailers planned to run special Cyber Monday promotions this year. Nearly 107 million Americans planned to shop yesterday up from the 96.5 million who…
Pursuing Digital Payments for the Credit Card-less
Aside from the attraction of quick, secure, mobile digital payments for consumers who prefer not to involve credit cards accounts, FaceCash is hoping to lure retailers with lower transaction fees…
RSR Research: A Return to Pricing 101
As far as price optimization has come, there is still a long way to go. At Retalix’s recently held user conference, Lyle Walker, VP of marketing for KSS Retail, reminded…
Monday Morning Quarterbacking Black Friday
With doorbuster deals aplenty and seemingly 24-hour shopping options, Black Friday 2010 delivered on the hoopla and, apparently, the revenues for the retail industry. What, if anything, do you think…
CPGmatters: Can Mobile Marketing Rejuvenate Trade Promotions?
The rising discipline of mobile marketing brings with it a chance for retailers and CPG suppliers to usher in a new consumer-centric era of compelling, creative trade promotions. Do you…
BrainTrust Query: American Express Small Business Saturday – Good for Independent Retailers
American Express is holding an event Saturday, Nov. 27 and they want shoppers to party at their local independent bricks & mortar shop or restaurant. What do you think of…
Private Equity Firms Agree to Buy J. Crew
J. Crew has succeeded in recent years with a brand quality approach even as many others have gone the price first and last route. As it turns out, private equity…
TJ Maxx Gets Attention Selling Cheap iPads
Apparently, TJ Maxx doesn’t have that many cheap iPads to sell, but the attention the chain has generated by selling the 16 GB WiFi versions for $100 below regular retail…
Independent Options for Black Friday
Black Friday officially kicks off the holiday selling season. But unable to compete with doorbuster mania at the big boxes, it’s often a drab day for independent retailers. What is…
Amazon Offers Consumers a Way Out of Stores
Amazon.com wants you to comparison shop. And it really wants you to do so when you’re walking the aisles of its brick and mortar competitors. Yesterday, Amazon introduced a new price…
Future Looks Bright for Store Brands
At the annual Private Label Manufacturers Association show in Chicago last week, McKinsey & Co. released data revealing that store brands continue to ride a wave of popularity with American…
Williams-Sonoma’s Home Cooking Visionary
Williams-Sonoma’s longtime chairman and CEO Howard Lester, who saw an opportunity in home cooking aficionados before many others, passed away last week at the age of 75. How has the…
Retail TouchPoints: Mobile Could Be Real-Time Game-Changer For Black Friday Shopping
While Black Friday is traditionally known for exciting in-store offers, industry experts suggest the real-time access consumers can find via smart phones could be a potential threat to in-store traffic…
Checkout Donations
As cash and loose change disappear from pockets, they are also disappearing from charity boxes. But the needy can’t wait out the recession, and retailers are doing their bit to…
