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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Is Walmart Correct To Put a Positive Spin on Tariff Impacts?
Walmart’s executives put a cheery face on the company’s strategy to stare down tariffs. Is Walmart correct to be so optimistic in its public messaging?
Is Mentoring Feasible on Retail’s Sales Floors?
A study from Harvard professors found that an often-missing ingredient to reducing retail’s high turnover rate is investing in the career development and mentoring of low-wage frontline workers. What are…
Can e.l.f. Cosmetics Drive New Interest in Its Product via Partnerships in Women’s Sports?
e.l.f. Cosmetics is investing heavily in moving its brand into women’s sports. Will that investment pay off?
Which Retailers Are Best Positioned To Withstand Tariffs?
Wholesale clubs, grocers, off-pricers, and certain big-box chains are seen as the early favorites among retailers to withstand the Trump administration’s tariff hits. Which channels do you see as best…
Are Brands and Retailers Missing Out on the Pickleball Craze?
Pickleball was front and center at this year’s eTail West in Palm Springs. Is the current pickleball product landscape a short-term trend, or does it have long-term staying power in…
Customer Service Satisfaction Reaches Near-Decade Low, Report Says: How Can Retailers Improve?
Customer service satisfaction has fallen to the lowest point in nearly a decade, a study reports. What can be done to address this issue?
Why Haven’t Other Retailers Replicated Kirkland’s Success?
As Kirkland Signature marks its 30th anniversary, the private label has become a powerhouse. Why haven’t more retailers consolidated their store brands under a single name?
Will the Announced Revival of Big Lots Actually Work?
Big Lots will be opening over 200 stores this year under the guidance of new owners Variety Wholesalers.
How Can Brands Going Direct Avoid Wholesale Backlash?
A recent university study suggests that brands like Nike could add visible store locators on their own websites to reduce backlash from wholesale partners as they expand in direct channels…
Texas Roadhouse Surpasses Olive Garden To Become No. 1 Casual Dining Chain in America: Can It Keep Up the Pace?
Texas Roadhouse has accomplished quite the feat in dethroning Olive Garden as the No. 1 casual dining chain in America. Will it be able to sustain its current momentum?
Are Credit Cards Losing Appeal?
A new survey finds more than two-thirds of Gen Z consumers report that credit card bills cause them stress and anxiety. Are credit cards becoming less attractive to consumers?
Will the Kate Spade x Target Collection Drive Sales, and Does it ‘Cheapen’ the Designer Brand?
Kate Spade New York is set to engage in a significant collaboration with Target. Will the collection succeed, despite mixed social media reaction?
How Bad Are the ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ for Retail?
Shares of retailers nosedived along with the broader market as the Trump administration’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs against U.S. trading partners drove up fears of reignited inflation and slowed growth. What…
Is Real-Time Bidding Inevitable in Retail Media Advertising?
Microsoft and Google plan to court retail marketing advertising spend via aggregation platforms. Will Amazon and Walmart hold on to their market share?
Can Videotaping Store Shelves Reduce Out-of-Stocks?
Instacart is introducing a program to pay its gig delivery workers to take videos of store shelves to reduce out-of-stocks and the need for substitutions. What do you think of…
Should GameStop Be Buying Bitcoin?
GameStop’s shares rose 11.7% last Wednesday after revealing it had adopted Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, but then fell 22.1% the following day after issuing $1.3 billion in convertible…
Will a David’s Bridal Collab With Perry Ellis and Cubavera Be Successful?
For the first time in its history, David’s Bridal will be introducing menswear into its selection of product offerings, partnering with established men’s fashion label Perry Ellis and its subset,…
Are Americans Buying Into a Return to ‘Normcore’ Fashion Items?
Normcore appears to be the latest fashion trend. How can retailers pivot to take advantage of this opportunity?
Are Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Both Better Off On Their Own?
Dollar Tree recently sold Family Dollar for a little more than $1 billion. Will both brands benefit?
Can Liquid Death Shoulder Its Way Into a Crowded ‘Healthy Soda’ Market via Edgy Marketing and Brand Awareness?
Liquid Death has made a name for itself in the beverage space. But, can it compete in the “healthy soda” space against Coca-Cola and PepsiCo?
Was George Foreman a Better Pitchman Than Boxer?
George Foreman was a formidable boxer, but perhaps an even more successful pitchman. What lessons can be learned from his legacy?
