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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are Visa and Mastercard’s swipe fees out of control?
The Merchants Payments Coalition earlier this week sent a letter to the House Financial Services Committee calling on it and Congress to investigate what the trade association calls Visa and…
Are Walmart’s associates about to become its best customers?
Walmart is looking to add 1.6 million new members to its Walmart+ subscription plan. What do you make of Walmart’s decision to offer free Walmart+ memberships to its store, distribution and…
Eddie Bauer has a lot of stories to tell
Outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer is launching a new content hub for all of its in-house and user-generated content. How likely is content creation à la Eddie Bauer and REI…
Where are the advancement opportunities for retail’s frontline workers?
A new Pew Research Center survey found as the top two reasons U.S. workers left a job in 2021 “no opportunities for advancement,” tied for first with “pay was too…
Will inflation be positive or negative for off-pricers?
Michael O’Sullivan, CEO at Burlington Stores, believes surging inflation may drive consumers to trade down to off-pricers, but it may also squeeze spending. Will surging inflationary pressures likely offer more…
McDonald’s and Starbucks suspend Russian ops, Uniqlo stays open
McDonald’s and Starbucks have announced a suspension of operations in Russia following that country’s unprovoked attack on neighboring Ukraine that has resulted in thousands killed and the largest refugee crisis…
Does retail have a new market in pro home hobbyists?
The pandemic has allowed a new demographic to go professional with their hobbies, according to a new UK study. How likely is the demand for makers’ goods to remain strong…
Are banned books a sales opportunity or political risk for Barnes & Noble?
Barnes & Noble has added a page on its website and small sections to some stores featuring “Banned And Challenged Books,” or books that have faced censorship. What do you…
Will REI’s membership soar with its new lifetime program?
For the first time in 84 years, REI has updated its lifetime membership program with five new benefits and a higher price , with a goal to more than double…
Table Mesa King Soopers’ offers comfort in the wake of tragedy
On March 22, 2021 a gunman opened fire inside the Table Mesa King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, CO. A year later, how have King Soopers and Kroger done? What…
What does Russia’s war on Ukraine mean for U.S. retail?
Twelve days into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the most visible impact on U.S. retail appears to be brands suspending operations in Russia, local calls for boycotts of Russian vodka and a…
Do indie grocers need a big tech upgrade to compete with chains for customers?
Large supermarket operators are taking cash they made from much higher sales volumes during the pandemic and investing it in a myriad of technologies. Community-based retailers need to do the…
BJ’s Wholesale to launch smaller club concept
BJ’s Wholesale Club is piloting a smaller store, BJ’s Market, to serve as an innovation lab and potentially become an expansion vehicle. Does a smaller format store make sense for…
Will try-on tech be the right fit for Walmart’s fashion business?
Walmart is looking to assure its new spring collections are the right fit for its customers. The retailing giant announced the rollout of try-on technology that it believes will lead…
Can Victoria’s Secret extend its brand to preteens?
Victoria’s Secret is launching a new online-only private brand in April called Happy Nation. The brand will feature bras, panties and comfortable clothing for pre-teen girls. Is Victoria’s Secret on solid…
Dollar General has an OSHA problem
Dollar General has emerged as one of the fastest growing retailers in the U.S. But as it has expanded its footprint, it has at times run afoul of the U.S…
Amazon is closing all its Books, 4-Star and pop-up stores
Amazon.com appears committed to operating physical stores, but appears to be optimizing its format strategy. The retail and technology giant is shuttering all of 68 of its Amazon Books, 4-Star…
Are cats or dogs better for advertising?
Recent university research finds that the decision to use dogs or cats in advertisements should depend on how the product links to the stereotypical temperaments and behaviors of each pet…
Is mainstream retail the new go-to place for adult toys?
Sephora recently began selling vibrators and lubricants online, following similar moves last year by Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Saks.com as part of an emerging “sexual wellness” trend. Has this trend opened…
Will Target keep its winning streak going for five more years?
Target CEO Brian Cornell is understandably confident and believes Target’s continuing investments in its people, stores, supply chain operations and technology will continue to deliver significant growth over the next…
2022 could be the breakout year for mobile AR shopping
A new study finds 76 percent of consumers have already used augmented reality one way or another. Of the 24 percent who haven’t, half hope to do so in the…
