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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Google Acquires Visual Shopping Engine Like.com
Google has acquired Like.com, a visual search engine for online shopping. The deal is believed to be aimed at boosting Google’s shopping search capabilities and services like its Product search…
PL Buyer: Joe’s Trading Its Way to the Top
While it’s doubtful most retailers would want to copy Trader Joe’s outright, they can learn some important lessons on how to make their private label lines as appealing to consumers…
Starbucks a Great Testing Ground for Grocery Sales
When Starbucks introduces a product into grocery stores it already knows whether the item can generate repeat purchases because it has first tested those items in its own stores. Does…
Mechanized Medication
Convenience is one of the keynotes of vending machines. Now, one branch of Sainsbury’s in England has a new prescription vending machine on trial. Do vending machines for prescription drugs…
Dollar General Getting Into Beer and Wine Biz
Dollar General has done well selling consumables in other categories so why not try its hand at beer and wine? How big a competitive threat do you think dollar stores are…
Adidas Gives Competitors a Run for Their Money
A new Adidas store in Tokyo is looking to put competitors back on their heels with a concept that makes them part of the regular training routine for Japanese consumers…
Kroger Looks for Beautiful Results from Store Brand
It’s no secret to anyone who knows the food, drug and mass trades that when it comes to health and beauty care, private label brands have done pretty well in…
RSR Research: Are We Beginning the Next Golden Age of Retail?
We sit today, in the second half of the first year of the 21st century’s second decade, possibly on the cusp of a new golden age of retail. It seems…
Grocers Face Antitrust Suit in California
Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons must face an antitrust lawsuit over a pact the three competitors signed in 2003 to share profits if any one of the three were singled out…
J.Crew Turns to Other Brands to Reach Men
Part of J.Crew’s recent success in men’s apparel is being attributed to collaborations with third-party brands such as Levi’s, Warehouse and Red Wing. What is your assessment of J.Crew’s men’s…
Wal-Mart Looks to Reverse Same-Store Slide
The good news for Wal-Mart and its investors is the world’s largest retailer posted a higher-than-expected profit in the latest quarter. The bad news is that same-store sales fell for…
Market Baskets See Organic Sales Growth
While much of the reporting in recent years has shown consumers trading down in grocery stores, a new survey shows demand for higher-priced natural and/or organic products on the upswing…
Claiborne and Penney: A Marriage Made in …
Last October when Liz Claiborne announced the brand had entered into an exclusive deal with J.C. Penney, many thought it would probably be a bigger win for the retailer than…
Retail TouchPoints: Banana Republic; Urban Outfitters Shine in Email Design Look Book
Digital marketing service Smith-Harmon, a division of Responsys, recently compiled an Email Design Look Book, bringing together 20 compelling emails, a large portion of which are retail-driven. Which design elements…
Independents Losing Ground
According to an article in USA Today, independent retailers are fairing worse in the recession than larger chains due to a litany of reasons, from buying clout to lack of…
Steven Slater: Lunatic or Working-Class Hero?
A dramatic meltdown by a JetBlue flight attendant has sparked a discussion around people’s frustrations with their jobs in a time of seemingly endless cutbacks. What lessons did you take…
FD Buyer: Vendor Venting
There are complaints about things retailers do, but shouldn’t. For example, during demo or promotion times the buyers don’t purchase enough product to support the effort. In your experience, which…
Consumers Paying Full Retail Online
It’s true. Consumers will buy even if there isn’t a BOGO or a 40 percent off tag attached to merchandise. Well, at least that’s true some of the time when…
Baltimore Goes By-The-Book Dealing With Food Deserts
Food deserts, most public health officials agree, are a major problem when it comes to tackling some of the most pressing issues of the day. But, the fact that many…
Marbles: Into Mind Games
Marbles: The Brain Store, a newer concept that focuses on games that improve memory and reasoning skills, is finding much wider appeal than originally expected. What do you think of…
Food Makers Keeping It Simple
Simplicity is joining the ranks of natural and organic as an important driver in food marketing today. Is the move to simplicity in foods a trend or a fad? How…
