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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is your culture your brand?
A new book says companies typically delegate brand-building to marketing and culture-building to human resources, “and never the two shall meet. That creates a big gap between how a company…
Kroger shakes up own-brand fashion with one fell swoop
Kroger announced on Monday that it has teamed up with Joe Mimran, the designer behind the Club Monaco, Joe Fresh and Pink Tartan labels, to develop a new exclusive apparel…
Will Amazon team with third-party sellers as a Prime perk?
With indications that Prime’s U.S. membership may have peaked, Amazon.com may need to add even more perks to drive sign-ups. Some are wondering if more discounts at third-party retailers may…
Nordstrom opening more Local stores without inventory
Yesterday, Nordstrom announced plans to open two additional Nordstrom Local neighborhood hubs in Brentwood and downtown Los Angeles in the fall. What do you see as the appeal of the Nordstrom…
Will lockers transform Home Depot’s BOPIS operations?
Home Depot plans to install pickup lockers near the front of all of its stores in an effort to improve its buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) operations and become…
Hershey figures out what drives impulse purchases in stores
The Hershey Company’s research team recently came up with “eight human truths” to help retail partners execute in-store promotions to support impulse purchases. What advice do you have for using…
Amazon lowballs CVS and Walgreens on OTC med prices
A comparison of private label over-the-counter remedies sold by CVS and Walgreens with those from Amazon.com finds that the brick and mortar pharmacy giants are charging substantially more than the…
Are shoppers ready to pay to park at the mall?
MyPark, an app that enables shoppers to reserve parking spots, is reportedly signing up malls at a rate of two per month, including the recent addition of Woodbury Common Premium…
Is real-time order tracking becoming table stakes for e-tailers?
The delivery process has become a battlefield where ecommerce retailers hash it out for consumer dollars. In this realm of retail one-upmanship, brands compete by refining their shipping methods and…
Will America win the trade war?
It’s been said that no nation wins a trade war, but President Donald Trump disagrees. With the imposition of tariffs today on $34 billion worth of goods imported from China,…
Abercrombie & Fitch goes to college with a new store concept
Abercrombie & Fitch is still looking for the right way to reinvent itself. So, the once-popular apparel brand is heading to college campuses with a new small-store concept, where it…
Urban Outfitters buys into installment payment plan
Urban Outfitters Inc. has become the first U.S. retailer to use Afterpay, an Australia-based digital platform that offers interest-free installment plans to support online fashion purchases. Would an interest-free installment…
Amazon to start new Christmas tradition with its own toy catalog
Toys “R” Us is gone and there’s a market void to be filled. Bring on the Amazon.com toy catalog. Do you think Amazon is making the right move with the…
Target looks to build rep as ‘America’s easiest place to shop’
In an update to its Target Run campaign, Target is shifting focus to its newer Drive Up and same-day delivery with Shipt offerings. Is making Target “America’s easiest place to…
WeWork doubles down on member-based retailing
WeWork, the office-sharing giant, has branched out into retail with the launch of WeMRKT, a concept featuring products made by its members and sold primarily to its members. Do you…
Study claims positive plus-size clothing messages may have a downside
Retailers have been praised for featuring plus-size models and offering more plus-size apparel. A university study, however, contends such efforts may be undermining efforts to reduce obesity. Should retailers be…
Ride-sharers buy while they ride
People taking Ubers and Lyfts in some cities can now visit the convenience store on the way to their destination without leaving their seats, thanks to a startup called Cargo…
Amazon announces Prime Day-and-a-half
Amazon.com has announced details on this year’s version of Prime Day, including the fact that the event will be extended from 30 to 36 hours. The promotion will kick off…
Amazon calls on entrepreneurs to help deliver its packages
Amazon.com has introduced a program to help entrepreneurs with little to no logistics experience start their own businesses delivering packages sold on the e-tail giant’s site. Do you see Delivery…
Will California’s new privacy law set the standard for data protection?
California last week passed what’s believed to be the nation’s toughest data privacy law, a measure the National Retail Federation has described as “deeply flawed.” What do you expect will…
Walmart adds 3D virtual shopping tour for online home shopping
Walmart is testing a “3D Virtual Shopping Tour” feature on its website that allows shoppers to see what furniture looks like in a staged home. What do you think of the…
