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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is Trader Joe’s success formula becoming obsolete?
With its high-quality products, value proposition and knowledgeable and friendly staff, Trader Joe’s often finds itself at or near the top of various industry “best of” lists. However, the quirky…
How can meetings be made more effective?
A new survey finds that professionals spend more than one-third of their working hours in meetings and they see about 30 percent of them as unnecessary. What do you see…
Saks Off 5th aims to deliver on schedule
For online shoppers expecting online deliveries from Saks Off 5th, less will be up in the air thanks to a new feature the retailer is implementing. Saks Off 5th is…
Will Target’s new store format be even a bigger hit with its guests?
And now for something completely different. Target today said that it plans to open new larger-format stores with new reimagined open layouts designed to better meet the needs of the…
It’s Etsy versus Hobby Lobby to begin the 2022 RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge
The 2022 RetailWire Christmas Commercial Challenge (year 10 of our annual event) kicks off today with two different approaches to holiday marketing from Etsy and Hobby Lobby. What is your…
Are Americans ready ‘to get back to back to the sport’ of Christmas shopping in stores?
New research shows that Americans are shifting more of their Christmas shopping to stores this year rather than placing orders online. Do you expect to see a significant shift back…
What will happen to Kohl’s after Michelle Gass goes to Levi Strauss?
Michelle Gass is stepping down as the chief executive of Kohl’s as of December 2 and moving to Levi Strauss & Co in January. What should happen at Kohl’s following Michelle…
Is transactional data the key to understanding retail customer behavior?
“The Customer-Base Audit,” co-authored by Wharton marketing professor Peter Fader, argues that firms cannot make fully informed decisions without first understanding their customers’ buying behavior and the actual health of…
Lowe’s sells its Canadian ops to focus on the U.S.
Lowe’s is looking to simplify. The home improvement retailer last week disclosed that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian operations to the private equity firm…
Will travel keep retail’s 2022 holiday from taking off?
This holiday season, customers might be more likely to head to an airport than a shopping mall. Thanks to an increased customer interest in traveling, some worry that retailers might…
Chick-fil-A’s three-day workweek gives ‘the gift of time’ to associates
Justin Lindsey, a Chick-fil-A operator, has been getting a lot of press attention for designing a full-time three-day-a-week work schedule that has eliminated turnover at the restaurant and made it…
Can Disney marry streaming and shopping?
The Walt Disney Company last week launched a “limited test” in the U.S. that will allow Disney+ subscribers to shop exclusive merchandise from franchises like “Star Wars,” “Black Panther” and…
Is it time to shut down the free returns party?
Retailers are shortening their returns windows and even charging return fees to mitigate rising costs. Are free return policies becoming too costly?
Dick’s Sporting Goods launches ventures fund
Joining a number of other retailers with in-house investment vehicles, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced the launch of DSG Ventures, a $50 million fund that will initially focus on companies that…
Will Adore Me bring love to Victoria’s Secret?
Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VS&Co.) has agreed to buy Adore Me, the digital-first intimates brands, for $400 million. The acquisition is expected to provide a technology boost, a new growth…
Will dynamic pricing work for restaurants?
The restaurant industry is debating the merits of dynamic pricing as the expansion of digital menus over the pandemic has made instant price changes easier. The big unknown is how…
Aldi and Walmart are turning back the clock on inflation for Thanksgiving
Aldi and Walmart are running Thanksgiving meal promotions that promise to help their customers save as though grocery prices haven’t spiked 13 percent in 2022. Are Americans significantly more price…
Can VF Corp. reset its path to profitable growth amid escalating promotions?
Facing a heightened promotional environment amid elevated inventories in the marketplace, VF Corp. has rejiggered its near-term plans to drive higher revenue and profit in the second half of its…
Have grocery self-checkouts been designed to disappoint?
Few, if any, of the transactions BrainTrust Panelist Bob Amster has witnessed on a wide array of systems have been frictionless. Each has an interruption of some form. Where does…
DSW is adding shoe repair services throughout its stores
Consumers can now walk into any of the 500+ DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse stores with their old shoes and get them repaired. The retailer has partnered with Cobblers Direct, an…
Should Home Depot go on vacation with its customers?
Home Depot is partnering with a short-term rental platform so that when people are on vacation at one particular location, they’ll see what a trip or two to the retailer…
