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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
P&G Looking to Clean Up in Car Wash Biz
It didn’t take too long in the testing process for Procter & Gamble to know it was on to something with its Mr. Clean Performance Car Wash concept. As an…
Basket-At-Once Scanning Still a Ways Away
The technology is available and the costs are reasonable but it appears that basket-at-once scanning is far from being adopted at retail. The main problem is the lack of a…
R&FF Retailer: Pricing for Profit
“Pricing private label off the national brand is simply the wrong way to approach the issue, although this is what everyone does,” said Frank Dell, president, Dellmart & Co. What…
Grocers Tagging Gourmet Food
Amongst numerous reports of consumers changing the way they shop, cook and eat are tales of middle-income people finding themselves unemployed and/or dealing with debt to an unprecedented level. Now…
The High Cost of Discounting
According to a Yankelovich survey, deep discounting – even during a recession – can damage brands in the long run. When is discounting healthy to clear excess goods and when…
The Container Store: The Employee as an ‘Extension of the Brand’
In the retail industry, a 100 percent plus annual employee turnover is not uncommon. However, The Container Store experiences just 10-to-15 percent annual turnover. How does the retailer achieve…
‘Rent an Exec’ Services Grow
A growing number of unaffiliated executives in California are finding they can make a living working in a high-level capacity on a temporary basis for a wide range of businesses…
Simon Says Consumers Will Shop at Malls
David Simon, chairman and chief executive of Simon Property Group, owner of 350 malls around the globe, wants everyone to know that the death of the American mall has been…
JTTP: Consumer-Centric Strategies Imperative for Retailers and Suppliers
Between rising unemployment rates and diving home values, consumers’ discretionary spending is evolving as much more selective, more informed, and more scarce, creating significant competitive challenges for retailers and suppliers…
Employers Provide Added Perks to Keep Workers Happy
While many employers are looking to cut labor-related costs wherever possible, some others are taking a longer range view and actually adding perks despite the current challenges of running a…
Home Depot Invests in Customer Service
The housing crisis has been particularly tough on home improvement retailers. Back in January, Home Depot announced a number of changes including closing its EXPO business and slowing the…
CSD: What’s Your Solution?
New technology continues to improve back-office systems, giving c-store operators better business performance and putting them in an ideal position to predict future trends. Chains not investing or monitoring these…
Teen Niche Formats Faltering and Failing
Whether because of the economy or because they’re just too “niche,” a bunch of newer concepts, especially in the teen space, are struggling or have closed down. What lessons do…
JoS. A. Bank Free Suit Offer Made for Tough Times
JoS. A. Bank has the promotion for you if you’re among those trying to put your best look forward at work or if you’re interviewing for a new job. The…
BrainTrust Query: How will social media transform consumer research?
In 2003, accountability was thought to be the differentiator in market research. The shift in research strategy in only five years is profound…from an emphasis on report card accountability metrics…
Secrets of a French Checkout Operative
There are some people that many of us take for granted and never even notice. Amongst these, frequently, are checkout staff. Anna Sam, who worked in a French supermarket for…
Fashion Directors Being Phased Out
If merchandising is a mix between art and science, art has recently been losing some ground. According to an article in the New York Times, the fashion director position at…
SCDigest: Are Retailers Shooting Themselves in Foot with Low Inventory Strategies?
The recession has caused almost everyone to cut back on inventories but many retailers may be taking it much too far, and costing themselves sales and profit as a result…
eBay Changes Plan to Compete with Amazon
It appeared as though eBay was all set to go head-to-head with Amazon with fixed price offers selling new items directly to consumers rather than following the auction model that…
Supervalu Out to Grab Tax Dollars
Last year, retailers fell over each other offering special deals for consumers who brought their tax refunds and/or stimulus checks to the store. Many were dubious, but based on the…
BrainTrust Query: Do retailers know how to manage knowledge workers?
Recent headlines show various retail organizations announcing outsourcing or layoffs of information technology and industrial engineering workers. These knowledge workers have several unique characteristics that retail management must appreciate when…
