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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Walmart has changes in-store as the holidays near
The Christmas selling season is kicking off earlier than ever and Walmart announced on Wednesday its plans to meet the needs of its customers at this time. Do you approve…
Can retailers drive climate change action?
With the elevated environmental risks posed by this year’s hurricane and wildfire seasons in the U.S. as a backdrop, Walmart, Amazon.com and REI this week launched major climate change initiatives…
Will homes of the future include ‘Amazon Rooms’?
The pandemic has forced changes on how we live, how we shop and now it seems it could impact how we build houses. The home of the future might be…
Will limited-assortment warehouses help Chewy avoid ‘demand shock’?
A number of retailers have set up smaller warehouses to support last-mile delivery. Chewy last week said it opened its first “limited-catalog fulfillment center” to handle surges in orders. Will…
A successful diversity initiative led to an unintended consequence at Walmart
A Bloomberg article on Walmart tells the story of an unintended consequence that arose as a result of the retailer’s commitment to greater gender diversity. How can large retail organizations…
Will lockers help Lowe’s pick up more sales?
Lowe’s announced that it plans to have self-service pickup lockers installed at its stores in most major metropolitan areas by Thanksgiving and those remaining by the end of March 2021. …
COVID-19 may push retailers to use voice assistants instead of touch screens
People are still thinking twice before interacting with public touch screens and throughout retail, some are seeing voice-driven technology as a perfect solution. Will the desire to avoid the touching…
Will the Travis Scott Meal deal lead to more celebrity collabs?
McDonald’s has scored a breakout hit with a limited-edition collaboration with rapper and record producer Travis Scott. The partnership aims at helping the fast-food chain better connect with Millennial and…
Will Walmart’s new private clothing line have ‘staying power’?
Will a new more upscale men’s and women’s private clothing label help elevate Walmart’s fashion sales? That’s the question after the retailer announced the launch of Free Assembly, a new…
Grocers are primed to compete with Amazon’s free grocery delivery
When it rolls out a new service, Amazon gets a great deal of attention. The trouble is that rival retailers often find themselves on the defensive even if they already…
Can Rent the Runway move past unlimited rentals?
Imagine if Netflix or Spotify got rid of unlimited streaming and how viewers would react? Rent the Runway may be facing a similar challenge as it moves to end unlimited…
Patagonia wants to ‘Vote the a**holes out’
Patagonia, known for its environmental roots, added the message “Vote the a**holes out” to the back of label tags on some products as a statement against climate change. Do you…
Will 2020 be the year the holiday selling season changed forever?
A potential blockbuster national shopping holiday event, 10.10, and Amazon.com’s aggressive moves are providing more evidence that the holiday season will gain a significant jumpstart in October. What impact do…
Can Trader Joe’s continue thriving without delivery and curbside pickup?
Trader Joe’s, with no e-commerce presence or curbside pickup, missed the pandemic-driven e-grocery surge and doesn’t seem to mind. Should Trader Joe’s reevaluate its decision regarding delivery and/or curbside pickup…
Online to make up 21.5 percent of grocery’s sales in five years
Grocery sales made online are expected to grow more than 60 percent from pre-pandemic levels to $250 billion in 2025, accounting for 21.5 percent of the industry’s total, according to…
Have multiple rounds of price cuts changed Whole Foods’ high price image?
Whole Foods co-founder and CEO John Mackey says the chain and its parent company (Amazon.com) are serious about ridding the grocery chain of its “Whole Paycheck” image. Is being perceived…
Are older shoppers wiser amid the pandemic?
Many older consumers — albeit for safety reasons — are at last discovering and helping drive the shift to online spending, digital engagement and omnichannel adventures. . Do the findings…
Amazon Fresh grocery store opens touting low prices and cashier-free checkout
The first Amazon Fresh grocery store is officially open to the public , and the retailer is promising low everyday prices across the store, “delicious prepared foods” and a choice…
Will Apple’s Express pickup concept drop off post-pandemic?
Since March, plexiglass protectors between cashiers and customers and other in-store add-ons to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus have become familiar sights in retail environments. Now, Apple is…
Will runners subscribe to a 100 percent recyclable shoe rental plan?
The Swiss running shoe company, On, won’t let consumers buy its new Cyclon shoes when it launches them next year. Instead, the company has come up with a monthly rental…
Will Amazon’s new online store disrupt the luxury fashion and beauty business?
Amazon.com has launched an online store-within-a-store concept — Luxury Stores — with the goal of establishing itself as a major player in the luxury fashion, beauty and accessories market. Will…
