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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Retailers Sue to Keep Market Open for Chinese Imports
The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, a group representing 200 domestic retailers, has filed a lawsuit seeking to ensure that imports from China will not be excluded…
One No Longer The Loneliest Number
New research from the U.S. Census Bureau paints a mighty different picture of the average American family than the Mom, Dad and two or three kids typically idealized in television…
Kiosk-Based Consumer Reports Ratings to Aid Consumers In-Store
Consumer Reports and Active Decisions are now making Internet product research available right in-store for Target and A&B Sound customers. At kiosks located in the aisles, consumers will have the…
Does Food Have a Place in Kmart-Sears?
An editorial written by Supermarket News’ David Merrefield asks what role food will play as Kmart and Sears merge their businesses. Mr. Merrefield correctly points out that Kmart has gone…
Are Retailers Properly Targeting English-Dominant Hispanics?
According to a recent survey conducted by Hispanic Business magazine, the top 25 Hispanic-advertising agencies spend approximately 90 percent of their total billings on Spanish-language advertisements. There are a number…
GHQ Cover Story 12/04: The Pursuit of Relevance
Supermarkets today find themselves in a situation akin to candidates running for elected office. Every day is a new campaign to convince voters (shoppers in this case) that 1) they…
Giant Food Has a Morale Problem
The chief executive of Stop & Shop and Giant Food told analysts that the company has a morale problem at Giant. According to him, combining the two companies’ operations and…
Group Calls For Boycott of Target
The conservative Christian organization, The American Family Association, is calling on its members to boycott Target because of the retail chain’s decision to not allow the Salvation Army to collect…
Is RFID the Answer for Return Scams?
The founder and chief executive of Bar Code Security Systems says “it’s just too easy” to purchase items at a discount in a retail store and then return them elsewhere…
Christmas Bonus Can Increase/Decrease Turnover
Business owners have a means to retain key employees that may be being overlooked — the Christmas bonus. According to business owners and managers who spoke to the Associated Press,…
Staples Simplifies Rebates for Loyalty
Staples Inc. has launched a new paperless online rebate program according to a report on thewisemarketer.com. The Staples Easy Rebate program is intended to make retail shopping easier in time…
Bangs and Fizzles as Season Opens
Retailers got off to an uneven start to the holiday selling season last week as some malls, stores and Web sites reported heavy traffic and free spending shoppers while others,…
Turkey Takeout Biz is Booming
Perhaps you are among the culinary-challenged. Maybe you just don’t have enough hours in the day. You might even just want someone else to do it. No matter what group…
Engaged Organizations Key to Customer Service
A study from the Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement at Northwestern University, The Impact of Employee Attitudes on Market Response and Financial Performance, says there is a direct…
Retailers Look for Early Start, Better Margins
It’s just a couple of days from the retailing tradition known as Black Friday. This year, as with those that preceded it, brings a host of new promotions and incentives…
Drucker Discusses What It Takes to Lead
Management and leadership guru Peter Drucker has picked up a few things in his 95 years on the planet. Recently he spoke with Forbes and offered insights on effective leadership…
Bell Steps Down as McD’s Chief
Just seven months ago, McDonald’s unexpectedly lost its then chief executive, Jim Cantalupo, when he died from a heart attack. Today, they are dealing with another loss. Charlie Bell has…
Wal-Mart Won’t Fight Unions in China
Wal-Mart maintains its employees do not need to be represented by any union. While there’s no indication the company has changed its position on the topic, the reality of doing…
Geniuses Behind Apple Stores’ Growth
Computer problems often mean a trip to a store, waiting in a long line to drop-off a machine, plunking down a deposit to have someone look at it and then…
Location Critical to Online Success
The term ‘location, location, location’ is taking on a whole new meaning online as retailers look to drive sales by making their products available for consumers, not only on their…
Roger Wilco: Embracing New Business Models
An interview in Wired magazine with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco focuses on the band making its albums and other music available online for free. The article highlights the contrast between…
