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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Drugstores Capturing Grocery Share
Mike Mallon, vice president of real estate for Dominick’s, told the Chicago Tribune, “Walgreens are popping up on every corner.” What are your thoughts on the expansion of the major…
A Different Kind of Leader and Company
Dan Cathy isn’t your typical president of a $1.5 billion fast food business. What’s the secret of his and his company’s success?
Target Aims To Wipe Smiley Off That Face
Marshal Cohen, chief analyst at NPD Group, told the Star Tribune that Target’s decision to seek buyers for its Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s department store chains so it may focus…
Senators, AARP Want Rx Imports
Former Senate majority leader Trent Lott, (R-Miss.) says he doesn’t have a satisfactory answer for his mother when she wants to know why she has to pay more for the…
Coke Is It In Euro Music Downloads
A report by the BBC says Coca-Cola’s music download site, MyCokeMusic.com, is the largest for-pay service in Europe with consumers buying 10,000 songs a week. Do the moves by Coca-Cola,…
Hiring and Keeping Good Store Level Employees
Anyone in retailing can tell you that attracting and retaining qualified and dedicated workers can be a real challenge. Just as consumer demand management is now tilting towards science…
Setback in War on Terror
The Guardian Web site included translations from several Spanish publications on the terror attacks in Madrid. We found the following excerpt from El Mundo particularly chilling for obvious reasons. How…
Baristas Go Back To School
Starbucks is significantly expanding its paid employee training program, says the company’s chairman, Howard Schultz. What is your reaction to Starbuck’s employee training improvements?
Starbucks Gets Into Downloadable Music Biz
Starbucks’ chairman Howard Schultz told Business Week, “This is not a test. We’re going for it.”Mr. Schultz was talking about the coffee shop chain’s decision to offer a downloadable music…
Beyond Brand Martha
If you’re Kmart and you were counting on Martha Stewart to continue pulling your brand position up a notch in the retail space, you’re scrambling right now. What to do…
Target’s Department Store Sale
Target Corp. announced yesterday it has hired Goldman Sachs to help it explore the possible sale of its Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s department store divisions. What are your thoughts on…
Supers Can Do Better
A recent study conducted on behalf of the National Grocer’s Association — by Phil Lempert — the “Supermarket Guru,” Today Show food editor and RetailWire BrainTrust panelist — found there…
Pepsi Seeks Edge With Low-Carb Cola
Pepsico announced it will rollout a new Pepsi beverage with half the sugar, carbohydrates and calories of its flagship product. Will Pepsi grow its share of market with the introduction…
Oldham Targets La-Z-Boy Market
The designer of high-fashion apparel and cheap chic houseware, Todd Oldham, is branching out into the furniture business. What will Todd Oldham do for the La-Z-Boy name and vice versa?…
Who Will Be The Next Martha?
Now that Martha Stewart has seemingly been laid low by her conviction for violations of federal securities law, others are hoping they can take her spot in the hearts and…
Ruby Tuesday Says Goodbye To Old Menus
The fast-casual restaurant chain, Ruby Tuesday, announced it will begin printing nutritional information for all its meals on its menu in an attempt to appeal to more health-conscious consumers. What…
Kash n’ Karry Reinvents Itself
Kash n’ Karry has announced plans to blow itself up and start from square one. revamping all its stores in a new fresh-food focused format under the banner of Sweetbay…
Coffee Sales Perking Along
Senior citizens are drinking more coffee away from home while 18 to 24-year olds are staying home to get their jolt of java. These are just two of the consumer…
McD’s Plans To Keep Big M Going
McDonald’s is riding the wave of the Big M (momentum) from its latest financial report and it is looking to build on that with store remodels, new menu additions and…
Personal Care Line Targets Tween and Teen Boys
A new company founded by a group of former Procter & Gamble execs has created a new line of personal care products targeted to boys between the ages of nine…
Hispanics Challenging Assumptions
A piece in Business Week, Hispanic Nation, details the growing size and influence of those describing themselves as Hispanic and says, as a group, they are challenging many of the…
