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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Why are retailers struggling so hard to balance inventory?
Many retailers in the first quarter found themselves with inventory levels that exceeded sales gains. This after dealing with two years of shortages tied to supply chain disruptions. Are the…
Will $22 starting pay squelch unionization efforts at Apple?
Apple said last week that it will increase starting wages for its U.S. retail to $22 per hour, up from $20 and representing a 45 percent hike from 2018 levels…
Victoria’s Secret creates an online marketplace for women-led brands
Victoria’s Secret has launched a curated digital platform dedicated to third-party brands with a focus on women-led up-and-comers. Does selling third-party brands risk confusing consumers and diluting the appeal of…
Is Macy’s for real?
Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette has been saying that the department store company he leads is a different and better retailer than it has been in the past. The chain’s most…
When the going gets tough, consumers shop dollar stores
Dollar General and Dollar Tree issued first quarter results this week illustrating that, when consumer prices rise and the economic going gets tough, people go shopping at their local dollar…
Can body neutrality messaging replace body positivity?
Many brands, especially in the apparel and beauty space, have embraced body positive messaging in recent years, although critics charge the movement focuses too much on appearance. Is body neutrality any…
Is now the perfect time for grocers to sell imperfect food?
With inflation and a potentially looming recession at the forefront of the U.S. consumer’s mind, a couple of grocery delivery startups are selling the kind of produce that often gets…
Best Buy CEO expects headwinds but not a ‘full recession’ ahead
Best Buy CEO Corie Barry is well aware of the challenges the consumer electronics chain faces in the current economic environment. She’s also confident that the steps the retailer is…
Will Deliverr help Shopify better compete with Amazon?
Shopify is often seen as an alternative for independent sellers frustrated with Fulfillment by Amazon’s changing inventory rules and increasing seller costs. Will acquiring Deliverr potentially make Shopify a more serious…
Nordstrom is staffed, stocked and ready to serve as store traffic increases
Nordstrom pushed aside the gray cloud hovering over retail the past week with a first-quarter earnings report that shows luxury customers are still shopping despite rising prices. Do you expect…
Will Apple’s privacy positioning remake digital marketing?
In a new ad that launched last week, Apple highlights its privacy features by imagining the sale of a consumer’s data in a real-world, high-stakes auction. What do you think…
Will a TikTok-like video feature make a grocery app go viral?
Short videos like those found on TikTok are a major source of entertainment today, especially for generations Gen Z and younger. Now an online grocery startup is utilizing the model…
Robots and drones and Walmart’s supply chain, oh my
Walmart is motivated to get automated. The retailing giant yesterday said that it is expanding its use of robotics to all 42 of its regional distribution centers around the U.S…
Will Adidas help Foot Locker get over Nike?
Foot Locker is counting on Adidas, the second largest athletic footwear vendor, to help compensate for the loss of business as Nike, the largest, Nike, pulls back some of its…
Are ‘neighborhood stores’ what Google fans have been searching for?
Google has announced plans to open its second store in Brooklyn’s hip Williamsburg’s neighborhood with a distinctive community vibe and a promise of more to come. What do you think…
Can Old Navy plot a new course and keep its inclusivity pledge?
Old Navy, last August, made a promise to women that it would offer all the items in its line in sizes 0 to 30 and XS to 4X and that…
Amazon tests same-day delivery from malls
Amazon is testing a new program that leverages its Flex gig economy driver network to bring deliveries to consumers’ doorsteps from malls. What do you think is behind Amazon’s test…
Do consumers want highly-personalized fridges?
Samsung has introduced a program, MyBespoke, that lets consumers personalize the front of their Samsung Bespoke fridge with their original art, family portraits, vacation photos or “whatever your creative side…
Will smart shopping carts transform the shopping experience at Albertsons?
Customers at a few dozen stores owned by Albertsons will have the option of using smart shopping carts that allow them to pick products and walk out of the store…
Has science-based marketing taken a pandemic hit?
Surveys show that trust in scientists took a hit during the pandemic and it may be impacting science-based marketing claims. Do you agree that consumers have “mixed feelings about science…
Whole Foods is into palm reading
Whole Foods Market stores in Los Angeles are giving customers the option of paying for their groceries using their palms. Do you see biometric payment technology such as Amazon One…
