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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Convenience Stores Follow 2022’s Record Year With a Bang or a Bust?
Convenience stores achieved a new record for in-store dollar sales in 2022, according to the NACS State of the Industry report.
Did The Pandemic Launch An Indie Revival?
The novel coronavirus pandemic led to many changes in consumer habits, including a greater customer penchant for shopping from independent retailers.
What Happens When a CEO Tells Employees to Skip The Trip to Pity City?
Andi Owen, CEO of MillerKnoll, was recorded last month on a virtual town hall meeting responding to questions from employees on various topics, including bonuses, where she took issue with…
Will ‘Treats’ Make PetSmart a Pet Parent’s Forever Friend?
PetSmart’s “Treats Rewards” program is seeking to deepen those connections with the more than 60 million members who have joined the program since its inception in August 2018.
Does David’s Bridal Have Irreconcilable Differences With Consumers?
David’s Bridal, on Monday, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It previously went bankrupt in 2018.
Will 2-D Barcodes Add A New Dimension To Shopping?
GS1 US, the non-profit standards body in charge of barcodes, has announced an initiative called Sunrise 2027, which will replace the long-familiar UPC with a two-dimensional, QR-code-style alternative.
Can Barbie Deliver An Immersive Brand Experience?
On April 14, a 20,000 square-foot attraction, “World of Barbie,” opened in Santa Monica offering interactive installations which let customers visit Barbie’s Dreamhouse, board a space shuttle and more.
Should More Retailers Roll Out Free Shipping Membership Programs?
A university study concludes that paid, membership-based free shipping (MFS) programs can compensate for delivery costs, reduce customer churn and be a significant revenue source.
Is Amazon’s Generative AI Push a Cloud Gamechanger?
Amazon.com’s cloud computing division last week released a suite of generative AI tools that can enable companies to build chatbots, generate and summarize text, and classify images based on a…
Americans Have Money to Spend. Where Will They Spend It?
The retail market today seems strong than it was a year ago, but will it continue to grow? How will consumers spend in a post-pandemic world? The answer: differently.
Does Virtual Fitting Room Tech Discourage Sales?
University research finds virtual fitting rooms aren’t “uniformly positive” for customers, particularly those customers with unhealthy body image perceptions.
Is It Good Business to Allow Associates to Break or Bend Rules for Customers?
In some circumstances, retail employees find the need to go “above and beyond” for customers, sometimes deviating from organizational rules, a move that has been shown to enhance customer loyalty…
Does Nordstrom Rack Need To Rebrand?
Nordstrom Rack, celebrating its 50th anniversary, has rolled out a new logo inspired by the one used in the ‘70s and ‘80s to differentiate the off-price chain from its competitors…
Is Bonobos Better Off Without Walmart?
Bonobos is changing owners again, becoming the property of the brand management firm WHP Global and Express after the companies signed a definitive agreement with Walmart.
Can The Wine Industry Capture Gen-Z And Millennials?
The “State of the U.S. Wine Industry” report from Silicon Valley Bank found that the only growth in the category came from consumers over 60.
Will Wetzel’s Twisted Concept Stand Alone Among Food Competitors?
A new off-mall store concept, Twisted by Wetzel’s, aims to inject creativity and excitement into the Wetzel’s product line and add a catchier look and feel to the experience.
Will Chains Extend Their Retail Dominance Over the Next Five Years?
UBS forecasts that somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 stores will close in the U.S. by 2028, down from its previous forecast of 80,000 locations.
Are Consumers Willing to Wait Longer to Have Their Online Orders Delivered?
How fast do consumers want their online orders delivered? Perhaps not as quickly as retailers think.
Is Shoplifting Killing Store Morale?
A university study finds mandatory policing of shoplifting and other “customer deviant behavior” often produces strong negative emotions in retail associates, leading to perceptions of unfairness and increased turnover.
Do Walmart’s Stores Just Not Fit in Chicago?
Walmart is closing four of the eight stores it operates in Chicago after concluding that it could no longer sustain the losses it has experienced since it opened its first…
Restaurants Have Come Back in Boston. Why Not Retail Stores?
While office workers, tourists, construction workers and others have been filling Boston’s downtown across day parts for food, entertainment and opportunities to socialize, they haven’t returned to retail shopping. We…
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