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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Authentic Brands and Simon Property make a big move outdoors with Eddie Bauer deal
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and Simon Property Group have teamed up again, this time to acquire Eddie Bauer. Will the acquisition of Eddie Bauer by Authentic Brands Group and Simon…
Walmart is going all in on 24/7/365 telehealth
Walmart announced yesterday that it has acquired MeMD, a telehealth company offering nationwide virtual medical and mental healthcare services. Do you see healthcare operations becoming a more important element in…
Will store-hailing revolutionize grocery delivery?
Startup Robomart, which a few years ago was working on a fully-autonomous mobile grocery delivery vehicle, has pivoted slightly to become what the company is calling a store-hailing platform. Do…
What digital tools can help manage increasingly disrupted supply chains?
Forty-nine percent of supply chain leaders have accelerated spending in digital technologies to make their operations more responsive and forward-looking during the pandemic, according to a new report. Which emerging…
Will a new subscription program make Circle K a daily stop for members?
Circle K is rolling out a monthly subscription plan that will allow customers to pick up their choice of a 100 percent sustainably sourced cup of coffee, tea, Froster slushie…
Labor Department makes it tougher to classify gig workers as contractors
Companies that have created business models that rely on the use of independent contractors to perform as personal shoppers, handle deliveries and other jobs may find it legally more difficult…
How did Crocs ever become cool and how long will it stay that way?
The musician Questlove showed up on the red carpet at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards in a pair of shimmering gold Crocs, drawing praise across social media as well as…
Remote work is rough on big retail districts
The shift to remote working due to the novel coronavirus pandemic is having a significant impact in New York City where some retailers, once dependent on working commuters, are wondering…
Are retailers making it too tough for seniors to shop online?
Many older consumers have discovered and embraced digital communications and online shopping during the pandemic, but the onboarding experience for many hasn’t been a walk in the park. Are website…
Is the future of retail being cooked up in a lab?
Pandora announced yesterday the launch of its first collection of diamond jewelry made exclusively with diamonds created in a lab. How likely is the emergence of lab-grown products to disrupt…
Kroger takes flight with drone delivery test
Kroger thinks that drone deliveries have the potential to help transform its e-commerce operations, announcing yesterday a pilot program testing the use of autonomous drones to deliver online orders from…
Will CVS make a breakthrough as it expands in-store mental health services?
CVS is expanding a pilot program offering mental health counseling and therapy services inside stores. Does it make business sense for pharmacies to offer mental health services and therapy alongside…
Will a virtual quick serve restaurant drive Pepsi’s cola sales?
Pepsi has debuted a virtual quick service restaurant concept that seeks to pair the brand’s colas with a variety of complementary foods, such as burgers, chicken sandwiches and ribs. What do…
Do retailers have to catch up to Amazon’s logistics powerhouse?
Amazon.com has made significant progress over the last year in last-mile fulfillment with its vans crisscrossing neighborhoods with greater frequency. Where are Amazon’s largest logistics advantages as it builds out…
DoorDash tries tiered commission structure to deal with restaurants’ complaints
DoorDash launched a new tiered commission plan for restaurants following outrage over its high fees as delivery took off during the pandemic. Do you think DoorDash’s three-tiered commission plan offers…
What goes into standout Mother’s Day marketing campaigns?
Mother’s Day campaigns tend to go for sentimental messages of love and gratitude — only rarely are they daring or subversive. That makes them hard to make memorable. Which of…
Should retailers welcome vaccine passports?
From sports stadiums to cruise lines, airlines to universities, proof of vaccination is increasingly the ticket for special access or outright entry for the public. Would the use of vaccine…
7-Eleven spending $70M to promote the convenience of its new tech
7-Eleven is launching its biggest commercial campaign in years to try to keep itself at the top of the convenience store world. Do you think an ad campaign like the…
Shipt and its gig workers deal with phishing attacks
Gig delivery workers now have something else to worry about. Shipt shoppers/drivers have fallen victim to criminals who steal their paychecks. How significant a challenge do security issues around third-party…
Will Americans open their garages and homes to Amazon and Walmart?
Amazon and Walmart are both planning to expand delivery services that give them access to the homes of customers. Will Americans’ experiences during the pandemic and a return to pre-pandemic…
Will retailers be rewarded for giving ex-cons a second chance?
People have the power to change their lives. That’s the simple proposition that retailers are putting to the test as participants in the Second Chance Business Coalition, a group of…
