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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Google Shopping gets an upgrade
A redesigned Google Shopping platform went live in the U.S. last week with upgrades to some existing features as well as the introduction of new ones, such as price tracking…
Will Sam’s Club CEO lead Walmart’s U.S. business to greater success?
Walmart announced yesterday that Greg Foran, president and CEO of its U.S. business, is leaving the company and will be replaced by John Furner, who has been the top executive…
Can retail ease automation’s impact on African American workers?
A recent study posits that African Americans will experience a disproportionate negative impact in the coming wave of automation. What might the retail industry to do to brace for technological…
Can Target’s chief merchandising officer turn Bed Bath & Beyond around?
Bed Bath & Beyond has announced that Mark Tritton, chief merchandising officer at Target, will become its new president and chief executive officer on Nov. 4. What do you see…
Will becoming a UPS pickup/drop off point drive craft sales at Michaels?
Michaels announced that consumers can have packages shipped to them via UPS at more than 1,100 of the chain’s stores. They can also ship packages from the same locations. What…
Personalized promos add up to a ‘win-win’ for retailers and consumers
A university study finds personalized promotions can potentially be a lucrative opportunity for retailers to extract money from consumers while also enhancing customer satisfaction. What changes in consumer behavior do…
REI opens outdoor adventure gateway concept
REI, the outdoor-themed co-op, has opened a new concept that’s less about where members “live, work and shop” and more about where they “get outside and play.” What do you…
Why is Target helping Toys “R” Us get back online?
Yesterday, the mass merchandiser and Tru Kid Brands, parent company of Toys “R” US, announced that Target is providing product, digital capabilities and fulfillment for orders that originate on toysrus.com…
Will part-timers flock to Lidl after grocer offers health insurance for all?
One key to success that Lidl undoubtedly knew before coming to America is happy associates. Now, the chain has announced that it will allow all associates to participate in the…
Are legacy CPG brands just naturally digitally-challenged?
Why is it so hard for a CPG company to become a digitally enabled organization? “If you have a 100-year-old company with process and culture, it’s really hard to change,”…
Walmart sells ModCloth, seeks Jetblack spinoff and cuts Bonobos jobs
Walmart has sold its ModCloth business, is looking to spin off its Jetblack personal shopping service and has laid off workers at Bonobos. What is your take on the current…
Will Erewhon become the next Whole Foods?
A new grocer may be debuting on the national grocery stage after years as a successful local player in Southern California — with some help from a private equity firm…
Best Buy makes a big bet on health tech
Best Buy Co. last week set a goal to provide five million seniors with health monitoring services in five years, up from one million currently, as healthcare shifts to a…
Should Amazon rent out its Just Walk Out tech?
Amazon.com is “in talks” to bring the Just Walk Out technology it uses to support its Amazon Go stores to OTG’s CIBO Express stores at airports and Cineworld’s Regal cinemas,…
What if stores innovated like restaurants?
When looking at the top of the list on Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 200, it’s clear the leading restaurants are constantly innovating. What can retailers learn about innovation from restaurants?
Should companies have to pay you to use your personal data?
Andrew Yang, one of the candidates among the large field running to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2020, issued a new policy proposal this week that makes the…
Is Walmart on the right track with new healthcare pilot programs?
Walmart announced yesterday plans to launch several healthcare pilots around the U.S. beginning on Jan. 1. The programs being tested are designed to help the retailer cut healthcare costs for…
Kroger makes unusual donation to prevent a food desert
Recently in South Memphis, TN, Kroger made an untraditional move in a market to make sure a community it was leaving wasn’t stuck without a place to shop for food. …
What is Amazon’s ultimate Alexa strategy?
At its hardware event in Seattle last week, Amazon.com introduced a whopping 15 new products linked to its Alexa platform with the apparent goal of being a voice-command away from…
Zulily thinks it can beat Amazon and Walmart on price
Who’s the low-price leader? Zulily is — at least that’s what the flash sales site’s management team seems to believe. The online seller announced the launch of a new price…
Will Simon Property and Rue Gilt disrupt the online value shopping market?
Simon Property Group and Rue Gilt Groupe announced yesterday the launch of a joint venture between the two companies to take outlet shopping to new heights online through ShopPremiumOutlets.com. How…
