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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are pop-up shops more relevant in a pandemic-altered world?
For some retailers, opening a pop-up shop during the pandemic might look more like a sidewalk sale. However, doing so could be the difference between being closed completely and being…
As tech workers go remote, Facebook leases huge NYC offices
While many speculate that in the post-pandemic world, far fewer workers will be commuting to traditional offices, Facebook has just signed a lease on a new, huge office space in…
Will shortages shortchange soft goods recovery?
Crocs, known for its squishy sandals, announced that its sales in the back half of 2020 will be held back, not due to COVID-19-related sales weaknesses, but because of likely…
Moving beyond product features and benefits in brand messaging
Across today’s competitive battlefield — especially amid the pandemic, when speed and convenience have become necessities — a litany of features alone isn’t likely to convince consumers to purchase a…
Can influencers make stores feel safer?
With customers now hesitant about shopping brick-and-mortar, one retailer is using influencers to address a unique pandemic-era concern — letting customers know the stores are safe. Will social media influencers…
Is now a good time to launch a retail startup?
Pundits regularly hail the benefits of starting a business during a downturn and many are now claiming it’s just as true during a pandemic. What are the pros and cons…
Will diversity pledges be followed by results?
A number of retailers and brands made diversity pledges when the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017 and recently they’ve upgraded and amplified those commitments in the wake of the…
Survey says Amazon and Walmart are among the most patriotic brands
The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot in American society. One of those things, according to a survey of the most patriotic brands in the U.S., are the perceptions that…
Is the future of malls outside?
On Friday, Westfield Valley Fair, the Bay Area’s largest mall, opened an open-air pop-up market in front of Bloomingdale’s. Are open-air malls and shopping centers better positioned for survival versus…
Trader Joe’s says ‘never mind’ on private label name changes
Within a few days of its first announcement, Trader Joe’s posted another on its site that it was not planning any brand name changes, contending that its labels were not…
How is Tractor Supply acing the pandemic?
Despite the relentlessly bleak news of sales declines, store closings and retail bankruptcies, Tractor Supply Company has reported strong second-quarter sales and plans to open 75 to 80 new brick-and-mortar…
Nov. 2021: How should retail plan for a return to normal?
American consumers are crowding back into stores and restaurants as states ease pandemic-related restrictions. But a full return to normal isn’t likely to happen until November 2021, according to a…
Will axing commission fees entice Amazon sellers to move to Google Shopping?
Google last week announced it was eliminating commission fees for sellers for purchases made directly through Google Shopping. It is also opening its selling platform to third-party selling tools. Will…
Pandemic ‘fast-forwarded everything’ for nation’s largest cannabis retailer
The cannabis industry has challenges due to its federal legal standing, but chain dispensary Curaleaf found itself, like all other retailers, facing the challenge of pursuing digital transformation to do…
What didn’t Jeff Bezos know and when didn’t he know it?
Jeff Bezos offered less than satisfactory answers to questions about his company’s vetting of third-party sellers during yesterday’s “big tech” Congressional hearing. How important is ending the sale of stolen…
Is a drive-through-only store the shape of things to come for Wawa?
Wawa has submitted plans to build a new drive-through-only concept store, a first of its kind for the convenience chain, in Falls Township, PA. Does curbside pickup or drive-through offer…
Beauty becomes a digital beast
Beauty and self-care sales have traditionally been dependent on high-touch, personalized experiences in retail stores, yet online sales in these categories have soared during the coronavirus outbreak. Do you expect…
How can retailers differentiate curbside delivery?
The “new” last mile of the customer journey emerging from the pandemic is positively rife with opportunity. Once curbside execution is mastered, attention can be turned to surprising — and,…
Will Amazon become the go-to place to buy face masks?
In the U.K., where a nationwide mask mandate is now in effect, Amazon.com has launched an online shop to help customers get masks that suit their safety needs and sense…
Retailers hunt for spare change
Despite rumors to the contrary, America is not in the middle of national coin shortage. That’s the conclusion of the U.S. Coin Task Force established last month by the United…
Has retail adaptation become more about survival than competitive edge?
Results from a survey by the IBM Institute for Business Value show that Americans were more concerned about COVID-19 in July than they were in June and those concerns affect…
