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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
A South Korean Robot Has Mastered Fried Chicken
Robots are becoming more mainstream in retail, and in South Korea, a fried chicken restaurant wouldn’t have succeeded without the help of a robot. What do you think about AI…
Can a California-Pennsylvania Company Perfect the T-Shirt?
Buck Mason, a clothing brand that aims to perfect the T-shirt, has purchased a sewing factory and cloth mill in Pennsylvania. Does the majority domestic production from this brand prove…
Will Grocery Shoppers Take To FreshTake’s Community Hub?
While many grocers are feeding into shoppers’ “get in, get out” mentality, a new concept, FreshTake, tries to get people to linger. Are experiential and community-based grocery concepts such as…
US Shopping Malls Teeter Between Success and Failure While Asian American Malls Thrive
The future of the American shopping mall is not guaranteed, but are Asian American malls doing better? Do you think shopping malls will fail or succeed in the coming years?
Is US Luxury Spending Headed for a Brief or Lengthy Downturn?
The latest Saks Luxury Pulse survey showed the first increase in luxury spending plans since the survey began tracking the metric in May 2022. Has the overall luxury growth opportunity…
Why Do Consumers Demand Sustainability While Refusing To Pay For It?
Sustainable products are here, but do consumers really care? What ways can companies convince consumers that sustainable products are worth their value and are not low quality?
Is Now the Time for McDonald’s To Be Raising Franchisee Royalty Rates?
McDonald’s plans to increase franchise royalty fees throughout North America for the first time in 29 years, and franchisees reportedly aren’t happy about it. How would you weigh the benefits…
Should H&M Have Joined the Bandwagon Exiting Free Online Returns?
H&M is the latest fashion retailer in the U.K. to charge to return online purchases amid a broader push across retail to tackle escalating return costs. Has it become more…
Are Generous Coupon and Return Policies Hurting the Bottom Line?
The cost of returns is weighing on retailers’ bottom lines, to the point where 67% said they generally make back less than half the value of returned items. What do…
What’s Driving Halloween’s Momentum as a Shopping Holiday?
Despite a number of reports predicting a softer holiday season, Halloween spending is expected to reach the double-digits this year. Will Halloween spending’s momentum continue in the years ahead?
Top 3 Retail Brands Whose Success Rules the Stock Market
At the end of August, Nasdaq reported that though many companies are struggling, there are three retail stocks to consider that will hold or increase their value. What can other…
Should Container Store’s CEO Be Sacrificing His Salary?
The Container Store’s CEO is voluntarily taking a 10% pay cut to help cover the cost of higher salaries for staff. What do you think of the pros and cons…
Are US Retail Workers Calling It Quits?
Retail employees are leaving their jobs at an alarming rate. What ways can stores ensure safer work environments and prepare their employees for the shifting times?
Are Plant-Rich Diets Losing Momentum?
Despite plant-based meat-substitute food products becoming more commonplace, only 4% of Americans claim to be vegetarian and 1% vegan. Do you think that America’s diet will increasingly shift toward plant-based…
Will Greater Convenience Help eBay Grow Its Luxury Resale Offerings?
eBay is launching a consignment service that provides customers with direct access to expert sellers who can list items on their behalf. Will this service meaningfully help a broader audience…
Are Retail Holidays Becoming the Norm? Nike SNKRS Day vs. Yeezy Day
Retail holidays might be on the verge of becoming mainstream. Should all big-name brands establish their own yearly holiday that offers sales, exclusive products, restocks, entertainment, and more?
Is Pickleball a Game Changer for American Retailers?
Pickleball is becoming America’s hottest and fastest-growing sport, and it’s creating a major shift for retail. In what other ways can sports and retail continue converging for consumers?
Does TJX Have the Most Bulletproof Business Model in Today’s Retail Market?
Department stores have been losing market share for years, while TJX has grown and thrived. What actions do department stores have to take to stop the market share drift to…
Will Google’s Antitrust Trial Guide the Internet’s Future?
The Justice Department’s landmark antitrust case against Google is being viewed as the first monopoly trial of the modern internet era. What do you suspect will be the outcome?
Should Chicago Be Getting Into the Grocery Business?
Chicago’s mayor is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether the city could open a municipally owned grocery store in an underserved neighborhood. Is a city-run grocer a viable solution…
Mastering Omnichannel Optimization at eTail Boston
eTail Boston’s main theme this year revolved around the art of cultivating personalized customer relationships in an omnichannel landscape. How are you creating a harmonious omnichannel experience for your customers?
