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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Former Dollar General CEO may finally get his chance to fix what ails Family Dollar
The activist investor Mantle Ridge has taken a $1.8 billion stake in Dollar Tree and is focused on shoring up what the firm and others see as the company’s weak…
Will paid perks pay off for Williams Sonoma?
Williams Sonoma has launched a new paid membership program, Williams Sonoma Reserve, costing $99 annually that includes free shipping and experiential perks. Do you think Williams Sonoma’s annual subscription program…
Instacart wants ‘to make online grocery shopping more affordable’
Instacart has added a deals section, exclusive member savings and discount delivery options to its app “to make online grocery shopping more affordable.” Does price and the difficulty using coupons deter…
Can a Supreme collaboration give Tiffany street cred?
A limited-edition fashion collaboration between Tiffany and streetwear label Supreme quickly sold out last Thursday, offering hope for the famous jewelry maker’s reinvention for younger generations under new owner, LVMH…
Frontline workers say management isn’t listening to them
Frontline workers are praised for being the heroes who keep things together despite the challenges created by the pandemic. But many associates feel that they are not being heard by…
Will Americans give the gift of nothing this holiday?
Much of the focus of retailers’ concerns about the upcoming holiday season has centered around being unable to meet customer demand for gifts, and losing out accordingly. Retailers, however, may…
What online tools best prevent returns?
Customer reviews are the number one method considered to be most effective by consumers in reducing online returns, but some emerging product display elements have potential, according to a new…
Walmart fulfillment centers will take productivity to a new level
Walmart has broken ground in Texas on a 1.5-million-square-foot automated e-commerce fulfillment center and a 730,000-square-foot grocery distribution center in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Will automated warehouses enable Walmart to…
Do retailers get how social holiday shopping has become?
Fifty-eight percent of consumers say social media will influence their holiday buying decisions, according to a new holiday survey. Are retailers and brands keeping up with the popularity of social…
Will AMC deliver blockbuster results in the popcorn aisle?
AMC Entertainment, the largest movie theater chain in the U.S., announced plans to bring its AMC Theatres Perfectly Popcorn to retail. Do you agree that it’s “natural and logical” to bring…
Should retailers take prices higher?
A survey of top retail executives finds 59 percent planning to pass on the costs of supply chain disruptions to consumers. Thirty-six percent were planning to absorb the hit and…
Will a trip to the doctor soon mean a trip to CVS?
Customers already visit CVS for vaccinations, prescriptions and to take care of a range of other pharmacy-related errands. Soon, customers may be going there for full primary care visits as…
Retailers want more time to comply with COVID-19 vaccine and testing protocols
Trade associations representing retailers are calling on the federal government to recalculate the timeline for implementation of new temporary COVID-19 vaccination and testing protocols for companies with 100 or more…
What do retailers owe customers when it comes to personalized pricing?
Artificial intelligence-powered dynamic and personalized pricing offers retailers a means to satisfy customers and protect profit margins at the same time, however, there are also ethical concerns raised by their…
Does Facebook, er Meta, now need stores?
Meta, formerly Facebook, is reportedly discussing the possibility of opening physical stores to help introduce and explain the metaverse to the world. Will stores or advertising be more essential to…
Retailers can’t forget to prioritize capacity management despite inventory shortages
Fearing empty shelves during the winter holidays from global supply chain issues and shortages, many retailers have shifted their inventory acquisition strategy with mixed results. Are you seeing situations where…
Walmart is making store deliveries for the first time with driverless trucks
Walmart is making daily deliveries from a dark store to a Neighborhood Market in Bentonville, AR using an autonomous vehicle that doesn’t carry a safety driver — a world first,…
Should Apple join the crowd in lifting mask requirements?
Apple reportedly lifted mask requirements at more than 100 of its 270 U.S. stores starting last Friday due to declining COVID-19 cases and climbing vaccination rates. Is it appropriate or…
Companies place ‘bias bounties’ on AI algorithms
At least five large companies will introduce “bias bounties” or hacker competitions to identify bias in artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, predicts the just-released “North American Predictions 2022” from Forrester. What…
Has Kroger found an answer for Amazon Prime and Walmart+?
Kroger appears ready to get on the subscription program bandwagon with the launch of a new service that offers expedited grocery delivery and fuel rewards for its customers. Will Kroger’s…
Saks has planned a livestreaming holiday season
Saks has been building its livestreaming presence since the beginning of the year. Now, the luxury retailer is dressing it up for the holidays. Do you think Saks will drive…
