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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Braintrust Query: Amazon/Walmart.com – An Interesting Battle to Watch
A battle between titans began last week. Walmart announced it will be offering ten highly anticipated hardback books on its website for $10. After Amazon responded to match the $10…
Developing Winning iPhone Apps, Part 2 – Retailers
As discussed yesterday, iPhone apps are being developed with a variety of objectives. For brands, it’s about engagement. But, for retailers, it’s more likely they’ll want an iPhone app to…
Believing Online Reviews
Online reviews – even negative ones – have proven to increase sales and alert e-tailers to problems. But online retailers are increasingly figuring out ways to increase the number of…
Retail Customer Experience: ISME 09 – Seven Tips for Marketing to Families During a Recession
In a Wednesday afternoon session at the 2009 In-Store Marketing Expo, retail consultant Elizabeth Harris of consultancy Rivet laid out a wealth of statistics on how the recession has changed…
Developing Winning iPhone Apps, Part 1 – Brands
85,000 available iPhone apps; over 2 billion apps downloaded from Apple’s store; 125,000+ developers in the iPhone Developer program. With that as background, RetailWire conducted a panel discussion analyzing 22…
7-Eleven Urged to Sell Green Bananas
7-Eleven feels it could sell more bananas if they didn’t go bad so quickly. To address the ripening situation, the company will begin testing bananas wrapped in individual plastic packaging…
Amazon’s Express Goes From Overnight to Same Day
When most consumers think about getting an express delivery from a website, it’s overnight. Amazon.com is in the process of changing that with the launch of its same-day “Local Express…
CSD: Retailing On Two Wheels
With gas pumps out front, automotive supplies inside and the occasional adjacent lube shop, c-stores are geared toward the driving public. But as more commuters take to bikes for exercise,…
Wal-Mart Rolls Out HBC Products Online
Watch out Amazon.com, cvs.com, drugstore.com, walgreens.com and every other online merchant selling everyday health and beauty care items online. Walmart.com has entered the business. What will Walmart.com’s entry into health…
BrainTrust Query: The 3 Worst Excuses for Retailers NOT Using Social Media
Despite the continued momentum of social media, some retailers are still ambivalent about embarking on their own program. What do you think is holding back retailers from aggressively pursuing strategies…
FMI Future Connect: Leaders Outline ‘Path to the Executive Suite’
The Food Marketing Institute’s first ever Future Connect Conference was held in Dallas this week and one of the highlights was a group of four c-level executives sharing the stories…
Anheuser-Busch InBev and PepsiCo to Buy Office Supplies Together
Anheuser-Busch InBev and PepsiCo have reached a deal to jointly purchase goods and services in the U.S. in an effort to reduce expenditures. How much benefit are Anheuser-Busch InBev and…
Disney Stores More Like Disney World
The Walt Disney Company, with an assist from Steve Jobs and Apple’s retail operations group, is undertaking a major remodeling effort at its 340 Disney Store locations in the U.S…
FD Buyer: What You Need to Know About Packaging and Brands
Packaging has more influence on consumer buying decisions than ever. The three eco-R’s, Reusable, Refillable, and Recyclable are joined by Less Packaging in making shoppers feel good about buying. To…
Pants Co. Models Business After Zappos
Zappos.com is known for its incredibly loyal customer base. It should not be hard to understand then that others in retailing are looking to replicate some of the Zappos’ magic…
Second-hand Goes Mainstream
Used is big business. Books, cars, clothing, furniture, video games and more are all finding a second life being sold second-hand through a variety of venues in store environments and…
CPGmatters: Hershey Leverages ‘Need States’ To Optimize C-Store Sales
The Hershey Company is betting that incremental candy purchases in convenience stores can be triggered by placing its products in the right place at the right time. What value do…
Chinese Firm Acquires Hummer
A Chinese heavy-equipment manager last week reached an agreement to acquire the Hummer off-road vehicle from General Motors, marking China’s first major entry into the U.S. car manufacturing business. What…
Linens ‘N Things Brand Returns to Canadian Retailer
Home Outfitters, a division of Hudson’s Bay Co., will sell a line of Linens ‘N Things branded goods at its 69 stores in Canada beginning next spring. The home goods…
Platt Retail Institute: Audience Measurement Technology Optimizes the In-Store Digital Media Opportunity at Whole Foods Markets
A network of digital screens installed in Whole Foods Markets in North America is providing all the medium’s stakeholders with some unique and valuable insights on the shopping audience and…
J.C. Penney Gets Exclusive on Liz Claiborne Line
The Liz Claiborne line has sold well at J.C. Penney, but not at Macy’s. That’s why the apparel manufacturer felt secure in making a deal to exclusively sell the Claiborne…
