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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Sexy isn’t selling anymore for Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret, wrapping up another tough year, last week reported a seven percent drop in same-store sales in the fourth quarter and announced plans to close 53 stores. Are Victoria’s…
Does the Janie and Jack deal point to a new direction for Gap sans Old Navy?
With Gap and Old Navy splitting off into two companies, the once-popular mall retailer won’t have the fast-fashion brand’s success to prop it up. Given Gap’s announced plans to…
Where are chatbots falling short of consumer expectations?
According to a survey from Uberall, 80 percent of consumers who have interacted with an AI chatbot say the experience was generally positive. How would you rate the benefits and…
What will Amazon do with a conventional grocery banner?
Amazon plans to open “dozens” of grocery stores in a new lower-priced concept distinct from its upscale Whole Foods format, according to The Wall Street Journal. What would Amazon’s launch…
Will pairing nail salons with shoe stores be a good fit for DSW?
DSW Inc., the off-price footwear chain, is expanding its test of manicure and pedicure services to three additional markets. Do you see more upsides than downsides to installing nail salons…
Technology disruptors are causing independent supermarkets to innovate
Independent supermarket retailers were once again charged to take on the “The Big Guys” at the National Grocers Association Annual Convention in San Diego last week. If they don’t, they…
What will going separate ways mean for Gap and Old Navy?
Gap and Old Navy are splitting up. Yesterday, parent company Gap Inc. announced plans to create two separate publicly traded companies. Will operating as a standalone company help or hurt…
Retailers take on massive legacy system challenges one module at a time
There’s a sea change underway in how retailers are thinking about technology solutions. Many executives are no longer interested in major system replacements. Instead, they’re looking at smaller point solutions…
How does dynamic pricing affect online purchasing behavior?
A university study finds using dynamic pricing online tends to make shoppers more savvy and potentially more bargain obsessed. Does dynamic pricing only train online shoppers to wait for promotions…
Where does J.C. Penney go after ending its Bombfell subscription deal?
In an email to the chubstr blog, Bombfell said it would end shipments of J.C.Penney merchandise today and issue refunds for all returned merchandise by April 15. Do you expect…
Brands see voice ordering as more opportunity than threat
Brands are viewing consumers’ increased comfort with voice assistants as less of a threat than an opportunity, per a survey of more than 500 U.S. brands from Feedvisor. Is voice…
Will FedEx’s robots help retailers solve the last-mile delivery challenge?
One of the biggest names in last-mile delivery is launching a pilot using robots to get products from select partner retailers to the customer’s door. Will FedEx successfully push robot…
Walmart says ‘goodbye’ to greeters and ‘hello’ to controversy
While employing people who can interact with customers and accomplish other tasks seems like a positive for Walmart, there is concern that the change will leave older workers and those…
Will security concerns handicap IoT devices?
In a letter that began, “Dear Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon,” 11 privacy advocates recently urged the retail community to stop selling internet-connected devices that don’t meet minimum security…
Should retailers blame slow sales on the weather?
In its earnings announcement this week, Home Depot said that same-stores sales in the fourth quarter rose 3.7 percent, below the 4.5 percent increase expected by analysts, because of weather…
Will a curated marketplace strategy be an online game changer for Target?
Target is looking to differentiate its online marketplace from rivals with Target +, a choice assortment of products from third-party sellers meant to complement the goods it sells online. What…
Will Walmart’s Baby Savings Day grow up to be a big retailing deal?
Earlier in February, Walmart quietly launched a new retail holiday that’s being described by some as a Prime Day for babies. Will Baby Savings Day have a significant effect on…
Nestlé connects in-store and online media
Nestlé partnered with Tesco to help launch the dunnhumby Media platform that promises to bring continual, consistent and contextual communications with shoppers within and outside the store. Do the digital…
What’s holding back end-to-end inventory visibility?
Only 15 percent of U.S. retailers have completed supply chain digitization, according to a study from Gravity Supply Chain Solutions. Perceived costs and ROI concerns were seen as primary hurdles…
Tide to roll out laundry cleaning service nationwide
Procter & Gamble announced a commitment to double the size of its current out-of-home laundry footprint by the end of 2020, making Tide Cleaners’ services available in more than 2,000…
Should district managers be held more accountable for store performance?
What happens when you transfer a “high output” manager to a poorly performing store? Typically, results improve almost overnight. Shouldn’t a top-notch district manager be even more beneficial? Do you…
