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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is the retail sky falling?
Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday lowered its outlook to negative from stable for the U.S. retail and apparel industry. What outlook do you see for the retail industry for the…
C-store customers want an app to order ahead
Convenience store customers increasingly want to be able to place their food orders beforehand via an app, according to a new study. Will all big convenience store chains eventually need…
Are executive departures at Kohl’s a sign of things to come?
Kohl’s is losing two key executives at a time when the retailer is pursuing a sale and facing ongoing pressure from activist investors. Do you see the departures of c-suite…
Walmart and Target report higher sales and lower margins
Walmart and Target posted their first quarter results this week and the rivals had similar stories to tell of sales going up and profit margins falling down. What do you…
Should Apple have killed the iPod?
Fans poured their hearts out on social media upon hearing the news that Apple planned to discontinue its last remaining iPod, the iPod Touch. Should Apple have found a way…
Are shoppable ads finally ready for prime time?
At International Advertising Bureau’s NewFronts showcase for digital marketers, Condé Nast, AMC Networks, Roku, YouTube, NBCUniversal and Amazon’s Twitch platform were among those pitching the promise of shoppable ads. Do…
Will Walmart’s career path strategy give it a recruiting advantage?
Walmart has created a series of career path programs designed to let associates pursue advancement opportunities throughout the organization, from store-level to its headquarters in Bentonville. How do Walmart’s store…
Which exec role should guide the path to the metaverse?
Crate & Barrel Holdings last week revealed that Sebastian Brauer, who oversees product design, development and visual merchandising for the home goods chain, will take on additional responsibility. His new…
H-E-B is right at home with its new shop-in-shop concept
Visitors to one H-E-B store location can now purchase home goods while shopping for groceries, and if the Texan grocery giant continues with its current plans, visitors to many more…
Should Zara (and other retailers) be charging for online returns?
Zara in the UK has started charging a fee to return merchandise bought online. The fast-fashion retailer reportedly instituted the charge for environmental reasons. How likely is it that large…
Nordstrom Local is summering in the Hamptons
Nordstrom has unveiled plans to open its first Nordstrom Local pop-up in Southampton from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Do pop-ups make sense for Nordstrom Local in other locales…
Are smaller retailers getting crushed by the supply chain mess?
Ninety-one percent of small to mid-sized retailers believe larger companies have an advantage over them in the current supply chain crisis, according to a survey. Do SMB retailers have a…
Will the lack of skilled people derail retail’s digital supply chain transformation?
A new study finds that as more companies work to digitally transform their supply chains, many do not have enough of the right people on staff to achieve that goal…
Does virtual selling make for lonely salespeople?
Without the typical in-person social interaction, virtually selling tends to be transactional and lonely, not only impacting morale, but sales effectiveness, according to a new article. What’s your take on…
Pedigree and Walmart seek an end to pet homelessness
The Pedigree brand has launched a program designed to keep pandemic puppies and other dogs in their forever homes even at a time when many pet parents are finding it…
Has Best Buy found an outlet for future growth?
Best Buy is moving forward with its plan to double the number of outlet stores it operates over the next year. The consumer electronics retailer said it is opening four…
Google rethinks employee reviews and promotions process
Google last week shifted to a new system for “employee development, learning and progression” it calls GRAD, designed to streamline the process and reduce tensions around employee reviews and career…
Will Kohl’s make a better deal for itself after an activist investor loses board vote?
Kohl’s shareholders in a vote yesterday rejected a bid by the activist investor Macellum Advisors to replace up to 10 of the retailer’s 13 board directors. Should Kohl’s board consider…
Do Netflix subscriber headwinds hold lessons for retailers?
Netflix reported a drop in subscribers for the first time in over a decade on its latest earnings call. This raises questions: is subscription fatigue setting in? Do you think…
‘Babe’ star makes dramatic gesture over Starbucks’ upcharge for non-dairy milk
James Cromwell, the Oscar-nominated actor, has a problem with Starbucks over its policy of upcharging for non-dairy milk options, and demonstrated it by gluing his hand to a counter as…
Would grocery delivery be a healthy addition to Apple’s business?
Health conscious customers might soon be able to order a literal apple from Apple. The tech giant may be getting into grocery delivery, according to a new report. Do you…
