PROFILE
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Cathy Hotka
Principal, Cathy Hotka & AssociatesCathy Hotka has personal relationships with most of North America’s most influential retail technology leaders. Cathy Hotka & Associates is a different kind of retail IT marketing firm, leveraging close relationships with CIOs to assist technology companies, and working with retail CIOs to create thought leadership materials. The company was founded in 2002 and enjoys working relationships with many Tier 1 retailers and vendors.
Prior to creating the firm, Hotka created the CIO Council for the National Retail Federation, and staffed the American Petroleum Institute’s IT Council. She has worked on Capitol Hill and the White House, and has been recognized by Computerworld, CIO, Executive Technology, and the Wharton School of Business.
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- Posted on: 05/20/2022
Whole Foods is into palm reading
I have sat in multiple meetings with key figures at the FBI who were adamant about the massive numbers of Americans they wanted to subject to surveillance. It's a hard NO for me. - Posted on: 05/18/2022
Are shoppable ads finally ready for prime time?
Talk about instant gratification! When the technology is ready this really will be a game-changer. - Posted on: 05/17/2022
Will Walmart’s career path strategy give it a recruiting advantage?
Walmart has been working on associate development for years now, and they're serious. If this program can attract college-educated candidates for career positions, they leapfrog everyone else in the industry. - Posted on: 05/16/2022
Should Zara (and other retailers) be charging for online returns?
Unpredictable sizing is a major margin killer and is the real culprit here. I'd like to see an apparel industry consortium address it. - Posted on: 05/12/2022
Has Best Buy found an outlet for future growth?
Best Buy is doing everything right, and outlets are an appealing concept during a time of inflation. Customers are sure to respond positively. - Posted on: 05/11/2022
‘Babe’ star makes dramatic gesture over Starbucks’ upcharge for non-dairy milk
Thanks, Georganne! - Posted on: 05/11/2022
Would grocery delivery be a healthy addition to Apple’s business?
Talk about apples and oranges (sorry!). Apple has a brand, and grocery delivery is totally inconsistent. I don't see it. - Posted on: 05/10/2022
Can Starbucks replicate the ‘third place’ in the metaverse?
Stephen Colbert skewered NFTs recently as "a picture of a picture of a picture, but it's the real picture. Bidding starts at TEN MILLION DOLLARS." Color me skeptical. - Posted on: 05/06/2022
Which personalization techniques work best?
Bad personalization is worse than no personalization at all. And the methods that are described here don't address the most important personalization rule of all: ask the customer what she wants. - Posted on: 05/05/2022
Are Americans getting ready to hit the brakes on spending?
While prices are rising, big-ticket items remain out of reach for a lot of Americans, so look for them to make small splurges instead. - Posted on: 05/04/2022
How long until the metaverse reaches mainstream appeal?
Very few people could define the metaverse, which means that surveys showing widespread approval are bogus. It's coming, though, and retailers should be thinking about how to create "digital twins" online, where they can sell products and generate enhanced loyalty. - Posted on: 05/04/2022
Will ‘shrinkflation’ grow into a big problem for CPG brands?
At our house we call these smaller containers "cheater packs." Consumers aren't fooled, and it seems that, once the package is shrunk, it doesn't go back to its former normal. CPG companies should tread carefully here. - Posted on: 04/29/2022
Is tipping out of control?
I was in a fast food restaurant the other day and the tipping options STARTED with 15%. There ought to be an industry-wide discussion. - Posted on: 04/28/2022
Apple may be rethinking the role of its ‘geniuses’ in stores
Oh, come on. The Apple Store IS its geniuses. If I have a problem with my Apple product I can get help within a few hours. Take that away, and I honestly don't know what will happen to the brand. (Remember when you used to leave your PC at a retail store for maintenance and pick it up a week later?) - Posted on: 04/27/2022
Walmart’s new celebrity collab is its answer to Chip and Joanna Gaines’ line at Target
Agreed. It would be nice to see a collection that's a little edgier, and not so rooted in the 2010s. It will probably be a win for Walmart, though.
