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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Wholesaler Choices
While it’s the nature of independent grocers to switch wholesale suppliers, the cases of two grocers demonstrate that finding the right trading partner can go a long way in determining…
Cash is No Longer King
It used to be said, “Cash is king.” Those days are quickly disappearing as more consumers pay for goods with their debit, credit or ebt cards. In the U.K., for…
The Rewards of Loyalty
The moral of this story is loyalty costs and pays. Retailers continue to spend huge amounts of money on loyalty programs and, according to Christine Chen, a research analyst at…
Lundgren Wants to Raise Nation’s Macy’s Consciousness
As an article on the Women’s Wear Daily Web site tells it, one of Terry Lundgren’s goals upon taking over the top job at Federated Department Stores was “to bring…
Sainsbury Cells Coupons
Customers at select Sainsbury’s in the U.K. can now download product discount coupons directly from their cell phone, reports The Wise Marketer. The coupon program called “M-Bar-Go” allows shoppers to…
Lampert Takes Over Marketing, Merchandising and More at Sears
Edward Lampert has a few new jobs. The chairman of Sears Holdings Corp. removed Alan Lacy as CEO of Sears and put himself in charge of running Sears Holdings’ marketing,…
The News Is Almost Always Good at Publix
Publix Super Markets’ founder George Jenkins told Forbes in 1985, “There’s no secret to our success. We’re not the only people who treat their people well, we just make a…
Use Calendar Events to Strengthen Loyalty
According to an article in Promo Magazine, many marketers are offering unique back-to-school rewards for their customers. Chase is rewarding United Mileage Plus Visa cardholders with additional miles for back…
Wal-Mart Plans Lower, Low Prices for the Holidays
Lee Scott is serious about slashing prices and driving consumers into Wal-Mart’s stores and onto its Web site this holiday season. In a presentation at Prudential Equity Group’s consumer conference,…
Home Depot Conserves Its Energy
In what it calls a response to “the government’s call to conserve energy,” The Home Depot has announced voluntary measures it plans to take to reduce energy consumption in its…
Supervalu Puts ‘For Sale’ Sign on Shop ‘n Save
Ask Jeff Noddle what he thinks about Supervalu’s prospects and he’ll tell you that the company is “very well positioned for the long term.” It’s dealing with more immediate issues…
Does Target Have an Image Problem?
Could Tar-jay be a liability in Target’s plans for continued growth? A recent report in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis questioned whether the discount chain with the hip advertising and…
Gap Has the Music In It
The promotion was simple. Shoppers walk into a Gap and try on a pair of jeans. Whether they buy the jeans or not they walk out with a card that…
Wal-Mart Shows Heart As Well As Muscle
Even its many critics must admit that, when it came to standing up for those who saw their lives turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina, no person or group was…
Albertsons Considers Selling; Tesco and Others Consider Buying
On Friday, Albertsons released a statement from the company’s chairman and CEO, Larry Johnston, in which he said the retailer was “exploring strategic alternatives to increase shareholder value, including a…
Japanese Parent Wants to take 7-Eleven Private
Seven-Eleven Japan Co. said yesterday it is looking to purchase the remaining 27.3 percent stake it does not own in 7-Eleven Inc. 7-Eleven Inc., based in Dallas, has said…
The Spiritual Guide to Profits
Businesses are putting chaplains on the payroll and the impact has been uplifting for employee morale and company profits. A report in The Christian Science Monitor, says companies have recognized…
Starbucks Pushes Latte and Homosexual Agenda
Starbucks was looking to get people talking with its “The Way I See it” promotion. It worked. The promotion includes quotes from a number of well-known (to varying degrees) Americans…
States Ask E-tailers to Pay Sales Tax
“This fall,” reports The Associated Press, “13 states will start encouraging — though not demanding — that online businesses collect sales taxes just as Main Street stores are required to…
Tesco Looks to Push Convenience Store Advantage
Lee Scott, chairman and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, has pointed out that one advantage Tesco has over his company’s operations in the U.K. is its convenience store business…
Katrina
Louisiana’s Governor tearfully describes the scene as “untenable…heartbreaking.” Mississippi’s Governor believes this is what it must look like after an atomic bomb is dropped. What are your thoughts on the…
