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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will lean inventories derail off-pricers?
Off-pricers on third quarter analyst calls claim their business model still works in periods of constrained inventory levels and high inflation. What advantages do off-pricers have in an environment marked by…
Jury says CVS, Walgreens and Walmart bear responsibility for opioid epidemic
A federal jury in Ohio has found that CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must take responsibility for the opioid epidemic that has plagued Lake and Trumbull counties in the state. Do…
Glossier puts the experience first expecting sales to follow
Direct-to-consumer beauty retailer Glossier continues to bring an experiential element to its brand with its new store location in Los Angeles, its second since shuttering all its stores last year,…
Will fans visit Nike in the metaverse?
Nike has created a virtual world on the Roblox online gaming platform, NIKELAND, that enables fans of the brand “to connect, create, share experiences and compete.” How would you rate…
Mob thefts rock retail. What can stores do?
U.S. retailers have experienced a rash of highly orchestrated and alarming smash-and-grab thefts recently, notably in California’s Bay Area and Chicago. Do you expect to see more smash-and-grab thefts and,…
Walmart is going livestreaming for the holidays
Walmart is looking to spread a little livestreaming retail cheer this holiday season, with plans to run 30 individual livestreaming events, including a 30-minute variety show, featuring a variety of…
Can loyalty programs ease supply chain blues this holiday season?
What’s the hottest gift on American wish lists this holiday? Fulfillment. And while companies won’t be able to resolve all the product shortages, retailers can tap their loyalty programs and…
Should Macy’s de-omnify?
On the heels of Macy’s exuberant earnings report last week, which pushed its stock price up 21 percent overnight to a 230 percent gain for the year to date, a…
How big a win is Sephora for Kohl’s?
Just two weeks into the rollout of the initial 200 Sephora in-store shops, Michelle Gass, Kohl’s CEO, said the partnership is showing the potential to offer benefits in a myriad…
Vietnam’s factory closures will hit apparel and footwear supplies in 2022
While supply chain disruptions are impacting all industries, the recent closure of factories in southern Vietnam have become a particular roadblock for many in the apparel and footwear sector. Do…
CVS to close stores and create new formats in health push
CVS Health will close 900 stores over three years and launch new formats as part of its strategic push to create health destinations in the communities it serves. Will CVS be…
What’s driving shoppers to Amazon?
Two-thirds of U.S. consumers say that one of the top five reasons they shop with Amazon.com is because they can find almost anything they need, according to a survey from…
Will Macy’s curated marketplace distinguish it from online rivals?
Macy’s plans to launch a curated online marketplace that will recruit “carefully selected” third parties to sell their products on macys.com and bloomingdales.com. The platform will launch in the second…
Starbucks and Amazon open first joint concept store with more to come
Starbucks and Amazon have teamed up to open the first of at least three concept stores between the two Seattle-based retailing giants. Will the new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go…
Will working from home hurt women’s career advancement?
A Bank of England monetary committee member caused a stir in the U.K. media last week after saying that as more women work remotely and will likely continue to do…
Will superfans influence more Americans to ‘thank heaven for 7-Eleven’?
The latest marketing campaign from 7-Eleven makes use of “superfan influencers” who got their year-long gigs through a contest run recently by the convenience store giant. The next phase of…
Is mobile enhancing the in-store shopping experience?
A new survey finds that in-store shoppers continue to showroom, or use their mobile phones to check competitor prices, but they’re also using their devices for purposes beneficial to the…
Walmart is stocked and ready to roll back prices for Christmas
Color Walmart CEO Doug McMillon impressed with his company’s performance after reporting third quarter sales that exceeded both the retailing giant’s expectations as well as those of Wall Street. How aggressive…
Will new curbside-recyclable insulated packaging give Amazon a sustainable grocery edge?
Amazon.com is launching new curbside-recyclable insulated packaging that the company says does away with the need to use bubble bags or plastic liners. Do you expect Amazon’s new packaging to…
Is physical retail entering a new age?
While waves of the pandemic continue to impact the U.S., the relaxation of restrictions and the perception of overall improvement has led to an increase in store openings, which one…
Have grocers mismanaged Thanksgiving?
Over the summer, America heard how toy shortages might ruin Christmas. In recent weeks, the storyline has shifted to how turkey out-of-stocks could ruin Thanksgiving. Will shortages and higher prices…
