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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
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Crocs, Logitech, and Mattel are among consumer-focused companies that have withdrawn their forward-looking guidance due to uncertainty created by the tariff quagmire.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?
Is Less More for Self-Checkout?
Target claims its self-checkout item limit is winning over shoppers seeking a speedier checkout. Do you see more pros than cons in establishing purchase limits?
How Can Retailers Best Show Resilience During Periods of Economic ‘Disruption’?
The retail business is facing a combination unprecedented change and historic challenges. As retailers face a number of high-level headwinds concerning their bottom lines, what steps can be taken to…
What Do Moms Want for Mother’s Day?
A host of surveys show that while “experiences” are becoming increasingly popular as a way to celebrate Mother’s Day, many moms just want the day off. Have retail’s conventional Mother’s…
How Transparent Should Retailers Be on ‘Unexpected’ Supply-Side Fees or ‘Hidden’ Tariff Costs?
A new study indicates that consumers are fed up with hidden fees. Will tariff costs need to be disclaimed to would-be buyers?
How Will Amazon Weather the Tariffs?
On Amazon’s first-quarter analyst call, CEO Andy Jassy discussed the key factors that would help the company navigate uncertain economic conditions. Is Amazon’s retail business more exposed or insulated from…
Is Pop Mart’s Popularity in the Toy Business a Passing Fad or a Lasting Threat to Hasbro and Mattel?
Pop Mart has eclipsed Hasbro and Mattel in terms of market cap. Will its popularity be sustainable?
Will Anti-American Sentiment Hurt US Brands?
McDonald’s raised eyebrows within the investment community last week after noting that it’s seeing growing negative sentiment among some international consumers toward America and American brands. Will this sentiment be…
Can Cadillac Recapture Its Place as the No. 1 Luxury Vehicle Brand in America?
Cadillac is looking to recapture some of its former glory in the American luxury vehicle market. Can it do so?
Can Saks Help Amazon Fully Break Into Luxury Selling?
In a major thrust to entice more luxury brands to sell on its platform, Amazon has introduced “Saks on Amazon.” Will this partnership help Amazon gain better access to major…
Will Retailers See a Summer Sales Slump This Year Due to Tariffs and a Weak US Dollar?
Tariffs and a weakened U.S. dollar threaten summer spending. What can retailers do to mitigate the effects of these headwinds?
