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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Wal-Mart Goes Outside for IT Help
Wal-Mart is known for going it alone when it comes to developing applications for its information technology needs. That’s what made the company’s decision to go outside and hire SAP…
Gap Turns Lean & Mean
Gap Inc. posted a 40 percent hike in first-quarter profit on the backbone of tight inventory and cost controls. Same-store sales fell 11 percent but some analysts still believe that…
Microsoft Offers Shopper Rebates
In an attempt to undercut Google’s dominance of the search engine world, Microsoft last week announced it was offering cash incentives for people who shop through the company’s search engines,…
What If Gas Cost $10 a Gallon?
Recently exploring what would happen if gas prices reached $10 a gallon, an MSN Money columnist predicted thousands of truckers going out of business, airplanes sitting idle, and scores of…
Cards Offer More Than Discounts
For some time, loyalty cards in grocery stores were largely a means to capture share of a consumer’s purchases by offering discounts on promoted products. Today, card programs are…
Retail Development Prospects are Promising
There are no doubt challenges to deal with but, by all reports, the mood at this week’s International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon event was upbeat as developers spoke about…
R&FF Retailer: Wegmans Still Rules
Yes, shoppers love Wegmans, and there’s no question that it is one of the most innovative, skillful merchandisers anywhere, bar none. Refrigerated and frozen food vendors — at least the…
Sears in Amazon.com Impersonation
Flying somewhat under the radar in the last week was Sears’ announcement that it was going to greatly expand the product offerings on its website (ala Amazon.com) to include books,…
Barnes & Noble May Make Borders Bid
A report in The Wall Street Journal has moved into “big if” territory with the revelation that Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest operator of book stores, is looking into…
CPGmatters: Kimberly-Clark Scores with Virtual Retail Settings
By using virtual reality technology to create compelling retail environments that sell more of their diapers and tissues, Kimberly-Clark is elevating the art of actionable insights. What do you think…
Consumers Buy Green. Do They Understand It?
Green products are in high demand these days as many consumers seek, in ways big and small, to use their purchasing power to make the world a cleaner and healthier…
Frozen Food Reduces Wastage
In light of a recent report by Britain’s Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on food wastage, frozen food manufacturer, Birds Eye, is focusing its promotional activities on the ways…
CSD: Bring Trust And Loyalty Back To The Workplace
Once upon a time in corporate America, people actually liked going to work every day. They enjoyed the camaraderie of their co-workers, and they truly believed their work was making…
‘Groceries on the Go’ is Going, Gone at Bashas’
Bashas’ is getting out of the home grocery delivery business because it just doesn’t make financial sense anymore. Will the tough economic conditions around the U.S. lead others to exit…
Bank Branches Reel in Expansion
For the past few years, banks in brand-building mode have been pushing rents in New York City (and other urban/suburban areas) to steep levels. But brokers now say the shakeout…
All-Self-Checkout Fresh & Easy Gets High Marks
Tesco’s test of an all-self-checkout Fresh & Easy store has apparently gone over well with consumers, according to the survey of consumers in its test store in the U.S. The…
Tesco Bans Alcohol Sales to Parents
Having successfully reduced alcohol sales to teenagers, Tesco is now worried about adults who may be making purchases on their behalf. The store’s latest idea is restricting sales to adults…
Supply Chain Digest: The Difference Between Hard and Soft Expertise in Global Sourcing Consultants
The explosion in globalization has exceeded the ability of most companies to keep pace with the people and the skills required to execute global sourcing strategies. As a result, there…
Macy’s Gets Back into Toys
FAO Schwarz will open toy stores in nearly 700 Macy’s department stores over the next two years, marking the first time in 20 years that the department store will operate…
Interchange Fee Debate Goes to Capital Hill
When it comes to paying for retail purchases, the majority of consumers prefer to use plastic rather than cash. While consumers prefer the ease of paying with plastic, retailers…
Weis Goes Local for Beef
The “go local” movement, it seems clear, is catching on with consumers across the country. For most merchants, going local has meant sourcing produce from nearby farms but now Weis…
