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Canadian Tire buys part of a shipping port in move to upgrade its supply chain
Canadian Tire Corp. has purchased a 25 percent stake in Ashcroft Terminal Ltd., British Columbia’s largest inland port, to support the retailer’s supply chain flexibility and sustainability goals. Is forming…
What’s next for Reebok after leaving Adidas?
Reebok is getting another chance to recapture its past glory under new ownership by Authentic Brands Group (ABG) after nearly 15 years of floundering under Adidas. How should Reebok be…
Are websites a must-have for all retailers?
A new survey finds that 23 percent of small retailers do not have a website. Are there legitimate reasons for smaller retailers to go without a website?
Walgreens finishes its trip to the cloud and its retail journey is just beginning
Walgreens announced that it completed moving 122 enterprise resource planning (ERP) apps to the cloud in May. Has moving enterprise resource planning to the cloud become a business necessity for…
Should retailers keep brands honest on their public commitments?
A new online retailer is going a long way to keep the brands it sells honest about their avowed commitments to environmental and social issues. Do you see the enhanced…
Does retail have a problem with how it recruits and hires workers?
After years of underinvesting in people, human resources and hiring systems, much of the retail industry now finds itself scrambling to find, qualify, hire and on-board new employees who have…
Some think supply chain disruptions are here to stay until 2022
The supply chain turbulence that arrived last fall was predicted by many to be a temporary event, but it’s now expected to delay upcoming holiday shipments and may linger into…
Why is Amazon footing the bill for defective products sold by marketplace sellers?
In the near future, Amazon shoppers that have a problem with a third-party marketplace seller will be able to bring their complaint directly to Amazon instead of having to take…
Will the latest Amazon and DoorDash delivery moves give each a leg up on rivals?
Amazon and DoorDash, in two unrelated moves announced last week, plan to improve on their delivery offers, which will likely put more pressure on their respective rivals as the ongoing…
Knowing when to make a change for a brand’s sake
Although change for change’s sake is seldom a good course of action, a well-executed brand refresh could be just what the doctor ordered — if the underlying rationale justifies such…
Will luxury consumers buy what Neiman Marcus is selling in 2021?
Neiman Marcus has gone through a bankruptcy and come out of it carrying less debt and on somewhat surer footing as it embarks on a new rebranding campaign — Re-Introduce…
Will voice shopping ever take off without screens?
Global e-commerce sales conducted by voice assistants are expected to expand more than four-fold by 2023. Devices with screens, however, “will be imperative” to driving the growth. Do you agree…
Amazon may have a different kind of review problem on its hands
Amazon has come under scrutiny over third-party sellers using false consumer reviews to promote the products they sell. But now, a different kind of review issue has arisen. Does the…
Will four designers prove just as good as one in Target’s new exclusive collection?
Target is known for its limited-edition collections from well-known fashion designers and brands. The retailer, however, is taking a different approach with its Fall Designer Collection. Will Target’s use of…
What benefits do premium loyalty program members value?
Seventy-one percent of U.S. consumers belong to a traditional customer loyalty program, with four in 10 belonging to three or four of them. But despite their popularity, consumers aren’t satisfied…
The hunt for warehouse help heats up
Walmart in late July began handing out temporary pay increases to warehouse workers through January 2022 as it began preparing for a busy holiday selling season. Do you see the…
Can Sweaty Betty and Beyond Yoga take on Lululemon?
Wolverine Worldwide last week acquired Sweaty Betty and Levi Strauss agreed to purchase Beyond Yoga as both enter the burgeoning women’s activewear category. Do the acquisitions of Sweaty Betty by…
Should retail prepare for a vaccine resistant virus?
According to the CDC, large numbers of people walking around unvaccinated against COVID-19 make it more likely a variant will arise that even vaccinations are unable to stop. Should retailers…
Target may just be the best place to work in retail
Target announced that it will cover all the tuition, textbooks and fees for employees pursuing college degrees or certificates, which along with paying a minimum starting wage of $15 an…
Do emotional connections make women better business leaders than men?
A university study shows that when women express calm, happy emotions, they are perceived as more effective leaders than men. The effect is most pronounced for leaders in top positions…
Kroger seeks to ghost up take-home and meal delivery sales with dark kitchens
Kroger wants to be the place Americans think of when they order restaurant food for takeout or delivery. Do you think Kroger’s partnership with Kitchen United will succeed in its…
