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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is tipping out of control?
Consumers were eager to tip in the early stages of the pandemic to support local establishments, but tipping fatigue has reportedly set in. Has tipping become excessive and/or confusing?
Will Buy with Prime give Amazon an answer to Shopify?
Amazon has introduced a new program that may give third-party sellers another reason to do business with the platform instead of some of its rivals. What will Buy with Prime…
Is timing more important than speed for grocery delivery?
A recent university study finds that at least for the grocery space, precision and flexibility can be as or more important than speed for home delivery. Is optimizing delivery time…
Apple may be rethinking the role of its ‘geniuses’ in stores
Apple has pumped the brakes on hiring new associates to work its Genius bars in some stores. Do you see a need for Apple to rethink how it deploys associates…
Will a bigger gas discount drive Walmart+’s subscriber numbers higher?
The high cost of filling up the pump may work in Walmart’s favor as it continues on its campaign to increase its Walmart+ subscriber numbers. Do you think Walmart is…
Walmart’s new celebrity collab is its answer to Chip and Joanna Gaines’ line at Target
Walmart is leaning into another celebrity collaboration to help it boost sales of outdoor living products. Will Walmart’s collaboration with Dave and Jenny Marrs help make it a viable home…
Is spinning off or selling Buybuy Baby the right move for Bed Bath & Beyond?
Bed Bath & Beyond is under pressure from an activist investor to sell its BuyBuy Baby chain and interested parties are lining up for a chance to acquire the business,…
Is human bias frustrating sustainability progress?
An Oracle study finds 93 percent of business leaders would trust a bot over a human to make decisions on environmental, social, and governance programs. Are human biases and emotions…
Are JCPenney’s owners a good fit to take over Kohl’s?
Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, co-owners of JCPenney, have joined a growing list of bidders looking to acquire Kohl’s. Would Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Group make…
Do Gen Z workers deserve to be called entitled?
A social media firestorm erupted after a manager of Dollar Tree store in Indiana last week posted a sign disparaging Gen-Z’s work ethic and proclaiming a “Baby Boomers ONLY” hiring…
May brings Meta’s first physical store
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, will be opening its first physical store in May. The tech giant will open the Meta Store on May 9 in Burlingame, CA, according to…
Is Abercrombie & Fitch’s exposé a crisis or an opportunity?
Since last week’s release, “White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch,” has consistently ranked as the top movie on Netlix’s platform. The chain’s current management continues to…
Are Old Navy’s issues more about demand than supply?
Shares of Gap Inc. plunged 18 percent on Friday after the mall-based clothing giant announced the exit of Old Navy’s CEO, Nancy Green, and lowered its guidance. Do you see…
Sam’s Club upgrades its Member’s Mark private label, sustainably
Sam’s Club announced that its Member’s Mark brand will embrace a new slogan “Made with Our Member and Planet in Mind” and commit to making the environment and sustainability areas…
Amazon brings Prime power to other websites
Amazon Prime members who have wished that their perks would extend to e-commerce experiences beyond Amazon’s website are now in luck. Amazon has announced the launch of its Buy With…
Will workouts drive loyalty for Lululemon?
At its Analyst Day earlier this week, Lululemon announced plans to launch a two-tiered membership program tied to its Mirror at-home fitness device. Does Lululemon’s two-tiered membership program make sense…
Will unlimited free drinks pay off for Panera?
For $10.99 a month, visitors to Panera can now get all the self-serve beverages they can drink. Will adding an all-you-can-drink element and “Charged Lemonades” increase the effectiveness of Panera’s…
Are price freezes and pledges worthwhile in inflationary climates?
In a response to inflation concerns, Old Navy has instituted a “Price ON-Lock” initiative that will pause price increases on kids’ basics apparel through the back-to-school selling season. For its…
Will customers know everything about products with digital ID?
A recent article forecasts a world in which products can tell customers anything and everything about themselves using a digital ID, readable via QR code or NFC tag. Do you…
Is palm payment past pilot at Whole Foods?
Amazon just implemented its biometric palm reader at a Whole Foods location in a new market, making it look more like Amazon sees palm reading in Whole Foods’ future nationwide…
Has Barnes & Noble turned the page?
Barnes & Noble’s sales have recovered as the chain orchestrates a turnaround focused on empowering store managers and capitalizes on a revival of interest in reading. Does Barnes & Noble…
