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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Martha and Eddie: A Case of Irreconcilable Differences
It’s not quite at the War of the Roses stage, but it’s growing increasingly clear that Martha Stewart and Edward Lampert are not going to be able to work things…
Searching for Harry
Using a thinly disguised pseudonym based on one Jane Austen used herself, David Lassman, director of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, typed out the first three chapters of three…
Wal-Mart Seeks to Rule Consumer Electronics Market
Wal-Mart dominates any number of categories at retail and the retailing giant is intent on adding to that list. Among the categories the Bentonville behemoth has targeted are apparel, home…
A Rebellion of Modest Proportions
Espousing conservative dressing and even virginity, many girls are embracing modesty as part of a “good girl” movement. The leader of movement is author Wendy Shalit. Her new book,…
Mascara Ad Opens Eyes
This time it really is all about trust. We know that consumers want information about products before they decide whether or not to make a purchase. But they also want…
Amazon Beta Tests Grocery Delivery Service
Amazon.com has changed the way people think about buying books and it may soon be trying to accomplish the same feat in the grocery business with its new Amazon Fresh…
Beliefs and Business at Odds
Religious and moral dilemmas are no longer the sole territory of pharmacy employees dealing with whether or not to dispense contraceptives. According to a Chicago Tribune report, a Dunkin’ Donuts…
Home Depot Fires Purchasing Managers
Home Depot has fired four lower-level purchasing managers for allegedly taking cash kickbacks from Asian flooring suppliers in return for putting the vendors’ products on the DIY chain’s store shelves…
Connecting with a Fast-Changing Consumer
In a wide-ranging keynote address at the recent IIR Shopper Insights conference, Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, discussed the ever-changing consumer and how best to reach…
Consumers Trading Down to Save
The high cost of energy and food is driving many consumers into discount stores as they seek ways to make their dollars go farther. Operators, chains and independents that…
E-tail: The Next Generation
Over 50 percent of retailers intend to roll out upgrades of their websites over the next two years, according to the RIS News Retail Technology Study, as they try and…
CSD: Branding Benefits
Studies have found that nearly 70 percent of all purchase decisions are made at the point of sale, where packaging is the primary spokesperson for the product. Using this knowledge…
Illegal Music Downloads Continue to Rise
According to a new report by the U.K.’s Entertainment Media Research, unauthorized music downloading is at an all-time high as a growing band of consumers are unconcerned about being prosecuted…
In Search of Customer Service
Retailers know they need to improve customer service levels. Now they’re trying to figure out just what good customer service is and how to deliver it. In an era where…
Luxury Spenders Not Into Bling
According to a survey from The Conference Board, the vast majority of luxury consumers worldwide say they reject conspicuous consumption or buying to impress. Rather, they believe luxury is more…
Retailers Need to Get a Makeover
In an era when data dominates and everyone in retailing practices their own brand of fact-based decision-making, some things have gone missing from the business. Among these are creativity and…
C-Stores Look to Turn Data Into Results
With the introduction of services, such as Information Resources’ (IRI) new AllScan Convenience Store Tracking service, c-stores appear to be catching up to other retail sectors when it comes to…
Guys Trying to Keep Up Appearances
Whether guys are getting more in touch with their feminine side is up for debate but one thing is clear – men are certainly in touch with women’s beauty care…
The Power of Limited Editions
You launch a new product and it takes off. What do you do next? You expand production, right? No, if you’re marketing in Japan, you take your limited edition dollars…
Exploring the Great Outdoors
According to research from The NPD Group, eight in 10 consumers prefer outdoor entertaining over indoor, weather permitting. The main reason (cited by 84 percent of those surveyed) is that…
Drugstore Exec to Take Charge of Gap
Gap Inc. has appointed Glenn Murphy as its new chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Murphy has over 20 years of retailing experience, most recently as chairman and CEO at…
