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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
RSR Research: Does Wearable Technology Creep You Out?
One of the joys of being an analyst at RSR is the ability to draw your own line. And at the Wearable Tech Expo that Steve Rowen attended at NYU’s…
Should Tuesday Morning Have Said Good Night to E-Commerce?
Going against a wave of online euphoria elsewhere, Tuesday Morning, the close-out retailer of home goods, quietly shut down its e-commerce operations in July. Has it become a requirement for…
Will Walmart’s Gadget Trade-In Program Encourage Upgrades?
Walmart has introduced an online program called “Gadgets to Gift Cards” that lets customers trade-in their old electronic devices for a gift card. What do believe are the most important…
Will Target’s Facebook Promo Get a Passing/Failing Grade?
Target has long been associated with educational philanthropy. This year is no different, but some have questioned whether a well-intentioned promotion on Facebook will prevent schools that need Target’s philanthropy…
How Can Contact Centers Be Less Painful for Customers?
The experience of calling a customer service center to resolve an issue can often be problematic and annoying, but savvy retailers can improve contact center operations to create a positive…
Can Chipotle Afford to Alter Its Responsible Meat Pledge?
Patrons of Chipotle restaurants know that when they order a dish made with beef, chicken or pork, the meat will come from animals that have never been given antibiotics or…
Can Retailers Put Themselves In the Shopping Conversation?
Shopping is a social activity, and promoting those interactions is key to the success of retail, according to Alex Miller, Senior Vice President of Digital Commerce at QVC’s shopping network…
What’s the Story? Retailers Build Brand Identities On Store Shelves
Two key objectives are driving new packaging design strategy for own-label products at retail. Eye-catching, stand-out-from-the crowd identities are partnering with environmental-friendliness. Do you see evidence of consumers changing their…
Should Marketers Trust Their Gut or Data?
There is a growing chorus in marketing circles these days which asserts that the explosion of personal information on consumers makes data driven decisions the only way to go. Where…
What Does Walmart Wish Suppliers Knew?
Walmart makes efforts to be transparent about the standards it demands of its suppliers, but the nuances of working successfully with the chain’s buyers and merchandisers are more elusive. Do…
Study: Empowered Consumers Resist Social Marketing Efforts
Companies that empower consumers by involving them in important processes such as product development shouldn’t also try to influence them through social media, according to a new university study. Do…
How Much is Great Customer Service Worth?
In a RetailWire poll last month, 43 percent gave retailers they interact a grade of D or F for demonstrating loyalty to them. Now comes an article about a young…
FR Buyer: Is SKU Rationalization Impeding the ‘Buy Local’ Opportunity?
“Foods with a local or natural connotation to them have much more potency with consumers than the average retailer thinks,” said Bill Bishop, best known for his years running Willard…
Is the Sky the Limit for Aldi?
Aldi has acknowledged plans to open stores and a regional headquarters and distribution center in California, the home of its wildly successful cousin, Trader Joe’s. What do you think of…
Should Shoppers Look Forward to Many Happy Returns?
Return policies really do factor into how consumers perceive retailers. Those with liberal policies tend to generate the warm and fuzzies from their shoppers while those that are more restrictive…
Which is the Better Retailer? Walmart vs. Amazon
When looking at retail heavyweights, you don’t have to look further than Walmart and Amazon to find the most successful. What do you see as the current strengths and…
BrainTrust Query: What Are the Top Three Digital Must-Do’s?
WD Partners asked more than 2,300 shoppers nationwide which of 14 trendy technologies they were aware of and found appealing. They made their favorites very clear. Which of the three…
Will Harrods Business Take Off From British Airports?
Travelers know time has to be allowed between check-in and boarding. Airport managers know retail therapy can soothe the soul. Luxury — especially fashion — items can tempt. Considering the…
What’s Up With J.C. Penney’s Board Fighting in Public?
For those trying to keep up with the latest episode in the soap that is J.C. Penney, the latest has J.C. Penney’s board taking the unusual step of releasing a…
Should Stores Associates Police Rude Customers?
A new study by the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business says retailers should consider admonishing checkout line jumpers and other disruptive store browsers to ease aggression between…
What Do You Make of Best Buy’s ‘Termination Tuesdays’?
According to sources within Best Buy, the retailer has been laying off employees in small numbers over the past couple of months instead of doing it in one large downsizing…
