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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Roundy’s CEO Objects To Off Base Reports
Bob Mariano, chief executive of Roundy’s, says reports about a loss of market share by the company’s Rainbow Foods division are off base. What is really going on at Rainbow…
Still Making Sense: Timeless Ethnic Merchandising Best Practices
The immense buying power of the nation’s Hispanic consumers will energize the U.S. consumer market as never before. Selig Center projections reveal that this group alone controlled about $653 billion…
The Buzz: Kmart To Sell Stores To Sears
One thing leads to another. That’s the popular theory making the rounds as analysts and retail industry observers remain on watch for Kmart to follow up its recent $365 million…
The Colonel, the Racecar Driver and the Actress
Did you hear the one about the Kentucky colonel, the racecar driver and the actress? KFC’s deal to hire racecar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. to serve as a pitchman for…
Retailers Take Hits For Fair-Trade Profiteering
A report in the Wall Street Journal says the fair-trade movement has been helpful in generating better wages for farmers around the world. In some instances, however, it appears as…
President Reagan’s Legacy To Endure
As the nation mourns the loss of former president Ronald Reagan, many are now looking back to assess his impact in economic terms. What do you think will be President…
Maytag’s Cooking, Cleaning Up With Demos
Maytag stores has decided its car selling brethren are worthy of imitation as it has launched its own “try-before-you-buy” service for appliances. What are your thoughts on Maytag’s “try before…
Demographics Are Out; Purchase Data Is In
When building and fine-tuning loyalty marketing initiatives, consumer demographics should take a back seat to actual shopper purchase data. What are some ways to expand use of purchase data to…
Wal-Mart Makes Personnel Policy Changes
Last year, Wal-Mart chief executive officer and president, Lee Scott, told attendees of the company’s annual shareholder meeting, “With more than 1.3 million associates, and plans to create many more…
Will The Internet Get Phished Out?
Phishing is not a new term to describe the act of leaving all responsibilities behind to follow the current generation’s version of the Grateful Dead (Phish) around the country on…
Retailer Wants To Be The Place Kids Go For Disney
The Children’s Place retail chain has confirmed it is in discussions to buy the 325-unit Disney Store operation from Walt Disney. What do you see as the opportunities/drawbacks of The…
Nestle/General Mills Rumor Floated, Dismissed
A story of Nestle considering a $22 billion bid for General Mills quickly went from the biggest business news story of the day to just another dismissed rumor. What was…
Honey, Kraft Won’t Shrink The Portions
A report in the Chicago Tribune says Kraft Foods has decided to be clearer with its nutritional labeling information rather than shrinking the size of package portions as it had…
Viewpoint: Restrict DXM Sales OTC
Last week, the Christian Science Monitor ran a story that brought to light a disturbing development where teens were purchasing cough and cold remedies containing DXM to get high. What…
Consumers Filling Up With Empty Calories
A study that asked 4,760 adults in the U.S. to keep track of what they ate over a 24-hour period has eliminated any mystery into the what is behind the…
QSR Wants Something For Everyone In The Car
The quick service restaurant chain, Chick-fil-A, has made its business selling fried-chicken sandwiches. That may not be about to change, but the chain does intend to follow the lead of…
Albertsons: Testing To See What Sells
Albertsons may be seeking to attract a different customer than Wal-Mart but that’s little consolation for the grocer as it continues to see business siphoned-off by Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets…
Avanza’s Retreat
Avanza did everything right. Still, on May 19th, the Nash Finch Company announced it was closing or selling its six Avanza stores in Chicago and Colorado. What are the lessons…
Gas Prices Change Shopping Behavior
A new study from NPD Group says consumers are beginning to get nervous enough about the cost of gasoline to the point where they are altering spending plans. Are we…
CVS: Convenience, Variety, Service
CVS has gotten the message from consumers in Southern California, Helene Foulkes, senior vice president of merchandise and marketing for the drugstore chain told the Los Angeles Times. What is…
Wal-Mart’s Knocking on Target’s Door
Wal-Mart opening a Supercenter in a new market is pretty much the stuff of everyday business headlines. Unless, of course, the world’s largest retailer plans to build its first Supercenter…
