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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are out-of-stocks making c-store visits less convenient?
Grocery stores are not the only food retailers experiencing significant stock-outs this year. Customers are more frequently finding shelves empty of the food they are looking for at convenience stores,…
Past purchases are no indication of current or future brand loyalty
New research finds low levels of perceived loyalty by consumers towards brands and concludes that at least some brands are confusing repeat purchasing with loyalty. Have habitual purchases become a…
Are ultra-fast delivery services bad for neighborhoods?
The Netherlands’ city of Rotterdam last week issued a one-year freeze on the opening of “dark stores” or mini-distribution hubs used by on-demand services promising delivery in under 10 minutes…
Is Shopify serious about fulfillment?
Shopify Fulfillment Network has never gained serious traction since its launch in 2019 and it appears that the company is at a crossroads with its approach. Do you agree with…
Should grocers leave delivery to third-party providers or do it themselves?
Only the major players along with a handful of others have brought grocery delivery in-house. But some industry observers think it might be time for others to join that club…
Would a Peloton acquisition make sense for Amazon or Nike?
Amazon and Nike are reportedly exploring separate bids for Peloton, the beleaguered leader in internet-connected bikes and treadmills. Would a Peloton purchase make more sense for Amazon, Nike or neither?
Nordstrom launches a podcast for its fans
Nordstrom has introduced its first podcast, hosted by Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer. The Nordy Pod is described as “a new way for Nordstrom-obsessed customers to peek behind…
Are business buzzwords more annoying than useful?
A recent Wall Street Journal article observed about business buzzwords, “Some are just hackneyed. Others signal something, but mean nothing specific. Others nod to a shiny virtual future, which they…
Will Amazon’s customers go along with its Prime rate increase?
Amazon.com is raising the price for an annual subscription to its Prime program to $139 a year in the U.S., up from the current $119, which took effect in 2018. …
Crate & Barrel store partners on the fly with local vendor
Over the holidays, a Crate & Barrel location in Michigan launched a partnership with a local laser engraving vendor the old-fashioned way. What do you think of retailers doing ad…
Will faster job offers help Home Depot recruit the 100K+ workers it needs now?
The Home Depot is seeking more than 100,000 new associates ahead of the chain’s spring season, its busiest of the year, at a time when finding staff for stores and…
How can retailers take the stress out of giving and getting feedback?
A new university study finds that, while high-empathy leaders tend to be better at giving negative feedback in a helpful manner, they become more distressed, inattentive and less effective at…
Meijer is the first to give customers free at-home COVID-19 PCR tests
Meijer has announced that its retail pharmacy will be the first to offer free, at-home COVID-19 PCR tests to customers. In partnership with a testing company called eTrueNorth, Meijer will be…
Should retailers ‘tip’ customers to pick up orders?
Domino’s Pizza is giving its customers a $3 tip if they pick up their food orders rather than have them delivered. The pizza chain is making the move in the…
Will Best Buy rule the metaverse?
With more people than ever talking about an impending virtual reality revolution and speculating about an eventual consumer move to a shared VR metaverse, some say Best Buy is primed…
Glossier seeks to recapture its shine after a tough 2021
Glossier revealed that it is laying off more than a third of its corporate workforce and outsourcing some technology functions after admitting to “some mistakes” in management strategy. What internal…
Are Super Bowl ads worth it?
Previous research has determined that there really isn’t a boost in sales for brands after their Super Bowl ads air. A new university study, however, finds Super Bowl ads bring…
Walmart customers can add a handyman to their purchases
Walmart customers across the country will soon be able to add a handyman to their purchases when they buy products for 150 common household projects that require product assembly and…
Is the metaverse a bubble waiting to pop?
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, said the French luxury group is willing to wait to embrace the metaverse and remains wary of potentially speculative bubbles. What signs would indicate whether…
What’s fair vs. foul in managing negative reviews?
Fashion Nova last week was ordered to pay $4.2 million to settle allegations that it concealed unfavorable reviews on its website. What do you think is fair play versus crossing…
McDonald’s new Hacks menu taps into the power of co-creation
McDonald’s recently announced that for a limited time, starting today, January 31, patrons will be able to purchase four special menu items via a new “Menu Hacks” section of its…
