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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Consumers Listen to AI-Created Product Reviews?
Amazon is testing a new “Hear the highlights” feature on select product detail pages, offering short-form audio summaries of product descriptions powered by AI. Will consumers want to listen?
Does Pandora Have More Room for Growth as It Opens Its First US Flagship Store?
Pandora is slated to open its first U.S. flagship store in Las Vegas. Will it find an even greater foothold in the United States as it expands operations?
Is Marketing to Bots a Big Deal for Retail’s Future?
With companies building out AI agents that will discover, search, and purchase products for consumers, retailers and brands may be increasingly tweaking their marketing messages to appeal to bots. Will…
Will Chuck E. Cheese Successfully Break Into the Retail Media Network Space?
Chuck E. Cheese has launched its own retail media network. Will this expenditure be successful?
Why Are People Waiting in So Many Lines?
The ongoing trend of people lining up for viral foodie obsessions continues to baffle editors searching for an explanation behind the longevity of the phenomenon. Where’s the appeal?
Is It in Tesla’s Best Interests for Elon Musk To Stay on as CEO?
Elon Musk has signaled his intention to remain on as Tesla CEO for the next few years. Is this in the company’s best interests?
What Tactics Beyond Price Hikes Can Mitigate Tariffs?
According to a survey of supply chain executives by Gartner, renegotiating supplier contracts was the primary supply chain initiative being used to mitigate tariffs. What’s your tariff-mitigation playbook?
Will Target’s ‘Charm Offensive’ in Small Town America Work?
Target is making a decisive move into small town America with its upcoming wave of store openings. Will this “charm offensive” work?
Do TJX’s Banners Really Avoid Cannibalizing Each Other?
The RIM Shopping Center will soon become only the second retail complex to house all five of TJX Cos.’ U.S. banners. How confident are you that TJX’s banners won’t cannibalize…
Is the Heart of Commerce Human? Redefining Customer-Centricity
Customer-centricity is one of the most talked-about goals in retail today, but what does it actually look like in practice?
Will Keen’s Stated Focus on ‘Doing the Right Thing,’ Price Freezes, and ‘Made in America’ Products Impress Customers?
Keen COO Hari Perumal believes the company’s price freeze, focus on integrity, and increased stateside production will win hearts and wallets. Is he right?
How Strict Should Starbucks’ Barista Dress Code Be?
More than 2,000 Starbucks baristas at 120 U.S. stores went on strike this week in protest of a new dress code. Will Starbucks’ dress code changes be beneficial enough for…
Malls Invite New Tenants as Store Closures Outpace Openings, but Is the Risk Worth the Reward?
Indoor mall vacancy rates are outpacing those of general retail spaces. Could this be a trap to entice would-be tenants, or are the customers (and their wallets) present?
Should Dick’s Sporting Goods Acquire Foot Locker?
Shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods fell about 15% on Thursday on news of its blockbuster deal to acquire Foot Locker. Do you see more potential benefits than risks in Dick’s…
Will Traditional Consumer Appetites for Nostalgia Ever Go Out of Style, or Is ‘Newstalgia’ Here To Stay?
Nostalgia is a powerful motivator in the retail and service world. Will it be a constant, and profitable, theme for retail brands to leverage in the long term, despite increased…
Is Trader Joe’s Missing the In-Store Media Bandwagon?
On a recent “Inside Trader Joe’s” podcast, the hosts indicated Trader Joe’s has zero plans to pursue in-store retail media. Will this put the grocer at a competitive disadvantage?
Has Physical Retail Endured the Worst of Its ‘E-Commerce Disruption Era,’ or Is More Uncertainty Ahead?
Despite ongoing economic challenges, the latest Colliers report argues that physical retail remains dominant and increasingly synergistic with e-commerce. Is the future of retail defined not by a battle between…
Amazon’s Warehouse Robot Gains Human-Like Sense of Touch
Amazon has unveiled a robot with a “sense of touch” that enables it to pick up and manipulate items without crushing them. Does Vulcan appear to be a breakthrough in…
Will Unicorn Build a New Market for Luxury Wine and Spirits?
Unicorn is making a big bet on premium wine and spirits trading. Will this become a mainstream collecting and investment trend?
Is Guidance Irrelevant Amid Tariff Uncertainty?
Crocs, Logitech, and Mattel are among consumer-focused companies that have withdrawn their forward-looking guidance due to uncertainty created by the tariff quagmire. What message, if any, does pulling guidance send…
Will 1-800-Flowers’ ‘Celebrations Wave’ Turnaround Strategy Succeed?
1-800-Flowers is on the cusp of executing a turnarounds strategy. Will its “Celebrations Wave” plan succeed?
