RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Walmart gives associates free phones and a mobile work app
Walmart will give more than 740,000 of its associates free Samsung smartphones this year to support the launch of a work app that is described as “a single source for…
What will Etsy do with Depop?
In a seemingly unusual pairing, Etsy, the online crafts marketplace, last week reached an agreement to acquire Depop, a go-to fashion resale marketplace for Gen-Z, for $1.6 billion. What does…
Voice assistant takes orders from McDonald’s drive-thru customers
Visitors to the McDonald’s drive-thru might soon be talking to a robot instead of a person when they place their orders. Do you see voice-ordering drive-thru technology, once the kinks…
Would a skyscraper on top of Macy’s NYC flagship reach in the right direction?
Macy’s has been struggling to return to national prominence for some time, but CEO Jeff Gennette wants to focus on going big in the Big Apple with plans to transform…
Does every online retailer need to have a third-party marketplace?
Hudson’s Bay, Lands’ End and United Natural Foods all recently launched online marketplaces. Saks.com, too, is exploring one. Do you see more benefits than drawbacks for niche retailers launching third-party…
Have flagships become obsolete?
The value of flagships has often been questioned, with many promoted more for their branding benefits than four-wall profitability. Have flagships become less worthwhile given pandemic-related challenges and the shift…
Rent the Runway becoming Resell the Runway
Is Rent the Runway due for a company name change? The women’s clothing rental service says it is entering the resale business, putting it in competition with a growing list…
Will Amazon become the Amazon of weed if Congress legalizes it?
Amazon stated earlier this week that it supports the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, proposed legislation that would make the sale and consumption of cannabis products legal across the…
Albertsons takes first baby step towards an electric truck fleet
Albertsons Companies is serious about cutting costs and reducing its environmental impact. The grocery giant announced the addition of two fully electric trucks to its fleet. Is the prospect of…
Do consumers have a gender preference when it comes to brand names?
Linguistically feminine brand names are perceived by consumers as warmer and are therefore better liked and more frequently chosen, according to a new university study. Does it make sense that…
Will marketplace sellers carry the Prime Day for Amazon?
Amazon is all about its customers, particularly its Prime members, but the retail and technology giant wants everyone to know (Congress and federal agencies) that its love for the small…
Best Buy puts multi-taskers to work
Best Buy last week elaborated on a workforce reset aimed at encouraging store employees to tackle more tasks to support omnichannel practices, including delivering packages to homes. What do you…
Will other retailers follow Costco and bring back food sampling?
Costco announced that it is beginning a phased return to full sampling in early June after a 14-month hiatus, albeit initially with some safety protocols. What measures may be necessary…
Stores scramble as Nike cuts wholesale accounts
Amid Nike’s moves to consolidate wholesale accounts, a few affected retailers are expressing confidence they’ll be able to shift to other vendors to fill the void. In March, Nike informed…
Should Amazon or rivals be more wary if it opens brick and mortar pharmacies?
Will Amazon take its pharmacy business from a purely online operation into physical store locations? It is, at the very least, mulling the possibility of this next step, according to…
Retailers and brands are using the wrong KPIs to make digital and social media buys
The “most used” KPIs for digital and social media investments are generally not the “most important” ones, according to a survey of U.S. marketers by the Association of National Advertisers…
Can Wilson Sports win at lifestyle fashion and consumer-direct sales?
Wilson Sporting Goods, the 108-year old sports equipment maker, is introducing its first lifestyle apparel collection and opening its first stores to support the launch. Do you see Wilson Sports’…
Will Walmart and Gap be good partners or strange bedfellows?
Gap and Walmart are teaming up. In a newly announced partnership, Walmart will sell Gap Home — a new brand of bedding, bath and other home essentials. What do you…
Is retail going to the ‘doges’ with cryptocurrency?
More U.S. retailers are accepting cryptocurrencies for payment, and one brand has even taken to hyping one of the more fringe of the financial products — prompting many to ask…
Kroger makes a game of finding new suppliers
Kroger has just joined a few other retailers in launching a contest in search of new suppliers. The competition encourages local and regional growers across fresh categories to apply online…
Do micro distribution points (AKA stores) give Petco an edge over Chewy and Amazon?
Petco believes its expansive store base not only offers differentiation against its online competitors, including Chewy and Amazon, but will ultimately help accelerate its online growth. How can Petco best…
