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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Competition Deals with $4 Generics
When Wal-Mart announced its $4 generic prescription program, some moved quickly to match it (Target), others claimed to have a better option (Kmart’s 90-day program) and yet others (CVS) were…
BrainTrust Advice 2006: ‘Told You So, Delhaize’
Delhaize America knows one-size does not fit all. That much is clear when looking at what is happening at its Food Lion business where three distinct formats – Food Lion,…
Sean John is in the Dog House
Sean John, P. Diddy, Mr. Coombs, whatever the name, the clothing label marketed by the rap music impresario is taking some heat now that it has been discovered that the…
HD Looks to Build While Housing Collapses
Home Depot expected new home construction to be off this year, maybe five to seven percent. Instead, the DIY retail giant watched as the market has fallen harder and faster…
Competitors Feeding Safeway’s Bottom Line
How good is this? A business you own develops a product that is sold by a competitor and you make money off it. Talk about sweet. That very scenario…
Get Your Christmas Bagels Here
Gingerbread lattes, peppermint mochas, eggnog shakes and candy cane bagels are just some of the treats being served up by eateries for the season – and the bottom line effect…
To Gift or Regift, That is the Question…
Are you a regifter? If yes, you are not alone. According to a survey commissioned by Braun’s Tassimo Hot Beverage System, sixty percent of people between 25 and 34 reported…
U.K. Takes Simpler Approach to Food Safety
The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking to “cut red tape and increase consumer protection” at the same time with a new program designed to make it easier for…
Retailing Becoming Dangerous Profession
This is the time of year when shoppers in stores begin to tell retail associates and other customers where they can put their holiday cheer. With just a few…
Macy’s Courts Out-of-Time Shoppers
It’s just a few days before Christmas and the pressure is starting to build for those who have yet to buy presents and have ruled out going the gift card…
BrainTrust Advice 2006: ‘Told You So, CVS’
There was a whole lot of buying going on at CVS this year. The drugstore chain was in wheeling and dealing mode. RetailWire has followed the doings at CVS quite…
Starbucks Makes a ‘Lifestyle’ Move
There’s something going on in Chicago and we’re not talking about the Bears. Starbucks is taking its baristas and beans and leaving Jewel. At the same time, the coffee chain…
Go Online Young Man (Woman)
To start with, a bit of techie jargon – the “digital divide” is slowing the achievement of a “knowledge economy.” What it means is that there are still an awful…
BrainTrust Advice 2006: ‘Told You So, Wawa’
Wawa has a lot of fans on the RetailWire BrainTrust. That explains the almost universally positive discussions that took place this year as members of the RW community offered opinions…
No Rainbow Needed for This Pot of Gold
So much of what is consumed in America comes from foreign countries, but now American “farmers” have made a former import their own. Yes indeed, today the largest cash crop…
PL Buyer: Opportunities Online
Online market research firm InsightExpress recently conducted an exclusive research study for PL Buyer inquiring about consumer attitudes about retailers’ web sites. All answers point to tremendous opportunities online for…
Consumers Go Online for Last Minute Gifts
Today, online merchants have gotten much closer to perfecting the timely delivery of goods prior to Christmas. Many are guaranteeing regular ground delivery with orders placed as late as Dec…
Experience Breeds Devotion
Consumers rate some products as great. They give companies such as Harley-Davidson are Starbucks even higher grades. They are products consumers cannot see themselves doing without, according to a report…
GHQ: Bridge to the Future
A&P is repositioning The Food Emporium from an upscale supermarket into a cross between a gourmet store and a neighborhood market to better compete with Balducci’s, Dean & Deluca and…
Where’s Elmo?
Okay. First Wal-Mart had some stock of Elmo T.M.X. and then it didn’t. But, now it does? The retailer announced earlier this week that it had come into additional…
Seasonal is Sensational, But You Have to Work at It
According to GMDC’s Seasonal Best Practices study, seasonal has been sensational for many retailers, and current shopping trends suggest now is a time to cultivate seasonal sales even further. But…
