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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
BrainTrust Query: How Much Does a Free Cone from Baskin-Robbins Really Cost?
Nothing says happy birthday like ice cream. Especially when that ice cream comes free from Baskin-Robbins. Wait a sec. Was it really free? Let’s take a closer look. What do…
Target Invites Direct Comparison with Wal-Mart
Target made its way to the upper echelons of American retailing by presenting its differences with Wal-Mart. Now, the company’s CEO believes it should go head-to-head…. Will 2010 be Target’s…
Former Ukrop’s Ban Fundraising Outside of Stores
Back in 2004 when Target, a national chain, decided it would not allow the Salvation Army and other groups to fundraise outside its stores. Fast-forwarding to today: Ahold’s Martin’s Food…
Wal-Mart Hopes Third Time a Charm in Movie Rentals
Back in 2005, Wal-Mart Stores decided its venture to rent movies online wasn’t going where it wanted. In 2007, the retailer took another shot at the movie rental business using…
A New Problem on the Horizon: Negligent Retention
From a legal standpoint, most employers take pains to avoid hiring the wrong person: negligent hiring. Now, with turnover down because employees are staying in jobs just for the job…
Madonna Talking to Macy’s
Madonna is said to be talking to Macy’s about doing an exclusive line. According to a report from Women’s Wear Daily, the contemporary women’s collection includes apparel, accessories, intimates and…
First Lady Takes on Obesity
While recent First Ladies have taken on causes such as illiteracy, drug abuse, mental illness and even highway beautification, Michelle Obama last week announced a sweeping initiative to eliminate childhood…
BrainTrust Query: The Customer is Wired…Are You?
There’s an impending “parting of the seas” taking place with respect to the nature of in-store experiences as we move into the future…an ever widening gap between “fully automated” experiences…
Analyst: Rite Aid Could Be Next Takeover Target
UBS Securities’ analyst Neil Currie thinks that once Walgreens has had the opportunity to complete its purchase of Duane Reade, it might turn its attention to taking over some or…
Sears to Franchise Auto Centers
Sears Holdings announced yesterday that it has embarked on a plan to franchise Sears Auto Centers. The company believes the time is right for this move with over 3,000 car…
Observing Consumers Beats Listening to Them
Nate Bolt, co-founder and chief executive of user research firm Bolt Peters, argues that while tech entrepreneurs are encouraged to listen to potential customers, observing is a much better tool…
Beyond Shrink Control
We know that loss prevention always becomes a bigger challenge for retailers when the jobless rate grows or stagnates at high levels. What attendees at a workshop during the NGA…
CPGmatters: Coke Launches ‘Shelf-Savvy Marketing’ to Boost Sales, Create Value at Shelf
In a presentation to retailers last month, Darren Marshall, VP of global customer and shopper marketing at Coke, said connecting with shoppers effectively calls for partnering with retailers to create…
Walgreens Takes Manhattan and Other NYC Boroughs, Too
Walgreens announced yesterday that it had signed an agreement to acquire privately-held Duane Reade from Oak Hill Capital Partners in a cash transaction valued at $1.075 billion. Do you have…
Calorie Counts Influence Menu Readers
While at least one study of low-income consumers showed calorie counts on menus did little to influence purchases in restaurants, two other studies published on the website of the American…
Independent Grocers Look to Gain Ground
The National Grocers Association held its annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas last week and attracted 20 percent more attendees than 2009, providing insight into the current…
BrainTrust Query: Can Task Management Go Too Far?
Task management applications can help the store achieve better results, but there could be a downside in the loss of “ownership” by store management. Numerous studies have shown that as…
Tupperware Parties for Brands
Much like Tupperware parties of yore, brands are recruiting consumers to host house parties. The more relaxed, informal settings are proving to be a better way to introduce consumers to…
Do It Yourself All Over Again
Loose dry goods have long been available in supermarkets. Bringing your own containers and filling them with liquids may be a more 21st century activity…. Are consumers ready for such…
Building an Effective Supermarket Retail Website
A report out by Bill Bishop, chairman of Willard Bishop, aims to decipher what supermarket websites need to do to best communicate with shoppers. The report is based on multiple…
Sears to Let Other Retailers Sell DieHard Products
Sears Brand Management Corporation announced it has reached a licensing agreement with Schumacher Electric Corporation allowing it to sell DieHard brand power accessories to retailers in the U.S., Puerto Rico…
