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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
What makes some ads more shareable than others?
A new study from Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger and Daniel McDuff of Microsoft Research finds that positive emotions result in more sharing, but so do feelings of disgust. What’s the mystery behind why…
Should the Feds move in to help indie grocers?
The National Grocers Association says that outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic only widened disparities in how its members are treated compared to large regional and national chains. Do you…
Why is gaining meaningful insights from data still so hard?
Half of the marketing, information and marketing tech professionals surveyed in the UK and U.S. state that their organization’s data is not organized for easy consumption, making it the most…
Schnucks’ new concept store is a fresh take on the grocer’s business
Though the pandemic caused an uptick in center store and frozen, customers are still interested in fresh options — assuming they can buy them safely. Do you see opportunities for…
Will Dick’s repeat its big win in 2020 this year?
Dick’s Sporting Goods had a record-setting year in 2020 and its stats were impressive. Where do you see opportunities for Dick’s Sporting Goods to build on its momentum from 2020…
Will hiring a celebrity designer turn Walmart into a fashion destination, à la Target?
Walmart thinks that collaborating with a big name American fashion designer, whose clients include Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama among others, will help give the chain the fashion cred it’s…
Which retailers are the most innovative in the business?
All the companies on Fast Company’s list of the 10 most innovative retailers of 2021 all found success during the pandemic helping deliver the “immersive, seamless experiences” increasingly demanded by…
Amazon is not playing games (oh, yes it is) with warehouse worker performance
Amazon has sought to continue to meet its productivity goals while introducing an element of fun into getting the job done with a gamification system that translates common job tasks…
How much HQ space will disappear as hybrid work becomes a retailing thing?
Target last week announced plans to significantly downsize its corporate offices, joining a number of other retailers embracing a flexible, hybrid work model that enables some employees to continue working…
The next evolution of the supply chain will be all about visibility
PVH Corp., the parent of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, is more highly prioritizing real-time inventory visibility to better adjust to potential disruptions coming out of the pandemic. How important…
How did COVID-19 change the rules on food innovation?
In normal times, sales data from the past year would identify new opportunities for innovation. What happens when almost every supermarket product saw record growth simply for being in stock? …
The importance of strategic and tactical balance in uncertain times
Last year, many companies struggled to implement tactics to build resilience into their organizations to survive short-term perils, without losing sight of long-term strategies for an unknown future state. What…
Can Amazon avoid being dragged into the political cancel culture fray?
Amazon recently came under scrutiny by Republican members of the U.S. Senate when it decided to remove a book, When Harry Became Sally by Ryan Anderson, from its website and…
Will CEO transition look good on Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty is getting ready to give its c-suite a new management look. The nation’s largest beauty retailer announced yesterday that CEO Mary Dillon will be stepping down from that…
Do Kroger’s chains have more to gain or lose from closing stores over ‘hero’ pay increases?
It’s safe to say that no retailer feeling forced to pay its workers $4 or $5 an hour more as a result of a local ordinance is happy with the…
Can a celeb endorsement fuel a Payless reboot?
After declaring bankruptcy and closing its operations, Payless is returning to the world of brick-and-mortar retail and may be leveraging a celebrity endorsement as it tries to get the business…
The Chipotle/e.l.f. collab has made guac eye shadow a thing
e.l.f. Cosmetics and Chipotle have collaborated on a limited-edition makeup collection inspired by ingredients used by the Mexican fast-food chain. What’s driving the appeal of the limited-release collaboration between e.l.f…
Live from TikTok, it’s Walmart!
Walmart’s interest in TikTok continues. The retailer worked with the video platform in December and the test went well enough that it has planned a return performance to host an…
Will shoppers get their nails done at Hy-Vee?
Hy-Vee has announced a partnership with The W Nail Bar to open several nail salons in select stores by the end of 2021. What other services may work within grocery…
Target begs your indulgence with its new store brand
Target this week released news that it will introduce a new wide-ranging snack products store brand that appeals to American’s desire to get a little decadent and self indulge. How…
What will the post-pandemic growth slowdown do to grocers?
After scrambling for months to meet unprecedented demand, grocers are facing new challenges as vaccines roll out and consumers return to normal spending patterns. Do you see a rocky path…
