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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is trust the next omnichannel inflection point?
Transparency was the first shift that changed the retailing game with the rise of internet shopping and mobile followed. In 2019, trust will become omnichannel’s third inflection point. Is what…
Shopper technology opportunities are the focus of FMI Midwinter
There were several remarkable statistics shared at the FM I Midwinter last week. They show that supermarkets are losing their primary store status as shoppers shop at multiple channels and…
What motivates workers in the gig economy?
A new study from professors at Wharton and New York University finds that although the flexibility of working multiple jobs fuels their entrepreneurial drive, gig workers are looking for some…
Social media responsiveness builds Millennial loyalty
According to a new study, a strong social media presence is a huge part of the loyalty equation for Millennials — and not having a responsive social media presence might…
Can Domino’s gain customers by offering free pizza for pies bought at rival shops?
Domino’s is launching a new rewards scheme that the company believes will lift not only increase its own sales, but the category as a whole. Will Domino’s Points for Pies…
Can sentiment analysis improve merchandising calls?
Marketers have long used sentiment analysis to target offers in the digital domain, but a new generation of demand forecasting capabilities is extending its use into merchandise planning. Where do…
Is experiential retail overhyped and misunderstood?
Retailers should pay attention to important truths about experience and retail. Do you agree that the focus on delivering experiential retail often come at the expense of product and the…
Kohl’s continues wellness push with WW collaboration
Kohl’s has sought to tap into the consumer demand for products related to living healthier lives. Yesterday’s announcement of a pilot collaboration with WW, the new Weight Watchers company, is…
Will Fanatics and Walmart deal be a grand slam for both retailers?
On Tuesday, Walmart significantly expanded its online offerings of sports-licensed merchandise by creating a “Fan Shop by Fanatics” marketplace on Walmart.com. Do you see the Fanatics’ partnership with Walmart as…
Are new brick and mortar solutions the key to digital brand growth?
In December, a four-story brick and mortar communal retail concept called SHOWFIELDS opened in lower Manhattan. What do you see as the biggest benefit that turnkey marketplaces offer digital brands…
New Foot Locker concept is powered by local culture
Foot Locker is launching a standalone experiential store concept, a strategy that it’s already piloted abroad. Will Foot Locker succeed with standalone experiential concepts in the U.S. rather than with…
Are the futures of retail and coworking space connected?
WeWork turned The We Company has some new ideas up its sleeve with the debut of a membership-free community space in New York’s Flatiron district called Made by We. How…
What do shoppers really want? Do retailers have a clue?
When customers shop at your store, do they feel confident, secure, and supported? According to a survey Bob Phibbs conducted in partnership with Oracle NetSuite and Wakefield, they don’t. …
Cloud and AI seen fueling digital transformation
According to a survey conducted by Incisiv in collaboration with Microsoft for JDA Software, retail executives are hoping the cloud and artificial intelligence can guide the merging of online and…
Will Walmart be able to pay truckers more and keep shipping costs under control?
Facing a shortage of truck drivers nationwide, Walmart last week hiked the annual pay for its truck drivers to nearly $90,000 a year and said it is looking to hire…
How much inventory visibility do retailers need to give consumers?
According to an evaluation of about 2,000 retail websites from OrderDynamics, only 38.1 percent of retailers show basic inventory visibility on product pages. How transparent should retailers be in giving…
Are NanoStores the new ultra-convenience stores?
With shoppers desiring ever-more convenience, all sorts of new self-service shopping models were on display at the recent NRF Show in New York, including the “NanoStore.” Is there an opportunity…
Beauty retailer gives new products a store-within-a-store of their own
Luxury beauty retailer Cos Bar is launching a section within its stores to experiment with new brands that might play well with its customers. Is such an initiative a good…
Which retailers deliver the best customer service?
Newsweek has published its first annual ranking of retailers delivering the best customer service, and a few of the companies chosen based on a survey of 20,000 U.S. consumers may…
Can BOPIS keep up with its own success?
Buy online, pick up in-store appeared to have reached a tipping point this past holiday season with more consumers taking advantage of the options. Do you see optimizing inventory,…
Amazon takes multi-pronged approach to owning the last mile
Forget drones for home deliveries of online orders. That was the consensus of a variety of industry experts at NRF, on conquering the challenges of the last mile. How do…
