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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Will Farmstead’s ‘Smart Shopping List’ give it an edge in online grocery competition?
Farmstead has introduced a Smart Shopping List feature designed to predict what products customers need. What do you think of Farmstead’s use of AI and machine technology to help customers…
Trump is deaf to retailers on tariffs
The decision to go ahead with the tariff increase follows a campaign by retailers and others to convince Mr. Trump that a trade war with China is paid for by…
Are machine learning and AI the path to enhanced personalization?
Two recent surveys from Evergage and Arm Treasure Data have found that marketers are increasingly hoping that artificial intelligence can take personalization to another level. What are the advantages and…
Will Schick parent’s acquisition of Harry’s create a ‘next-generation consumer products platform’?
Edgewell, the parent company of Schick and Wilkinson razors, Edge shaving gel, Playtex and other personal care brands, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to merge…
Sainsbury’s plans Amazon-style online grocery marketplace
U.K. grocer Sainsbury’s has observed Amazon.com’s success with a third-party marketplace and plans to launch one of its own aimed at grocery shoppers. Will grocers including Sainsbury’s and Albertsons be…
Will Walmart’s new online pet pharmacy and vet clinics draw more pet parents?
Walmart has announced the launch of WalmartPetRX.com, an online pharmacy for dogs, cats and other animals. How long do you think it will take for Walmart to become a major…
Angela Ahrendts talks about lessons learned at Apple
In a recent interview, Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry and then head of Apple’s retail business, discussed her career journey and the role that intuition has played in her…
What can we learn from the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play recall?
In mid-April, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price issued a voluntary recall of a product linked to the deaths of 32 infants since 2009. What took so…
Will a buyer step up for Lord & Taylor?
Lord & Taylor may have survived as a business for nearly two centuries, but the retailer hasn’t thrived for decades. Now, it’s up for sale. Do you think Lord &…
H&M will cease printing its catalog after 39 years
H&M has announced plans to discontinue its catalog business. What factors, in your mind, argue for or against dumping retail print catalogs?
What will Walmart gain from its ‘returnship’ program?
Walmart is helping a specific segment of the tech labor market get its skills up to speed. What advantages might Walmart gain by cultivating talent that wants to return to…
Will a strategy built around changing people’s lives transform Lululemon’s business?
Calvin McDonald, Lululemon’s CEO since last August, views the yoga-themed retailer more as an experiential brand than a lifestyle one. What do you think of Lululemon’s Sweatlife? What hurdles do…
Who is winning the shopping search race — Amazon or Google?
Google is most often the first destination for shoppers looking for inspiration or starting a purchase journey with a specific product in mind, according to recent research. How do you…
What companies need to know before using AI
Retailers and brands should not embark upon the use of AI without first understanding it. Why do retailers seem to have a hard time explaining their use of AI and…
Will Walmart’s ‘Great Workplace’ test work for its customers and associates?
Walmart is experimenting with several versions of a new store management structure under its “Great Workplace” initiative. Do you think Walmart’s “Great Workplace” staffing structure will produce stores that are…
Do urgency tactics used by online retailers amount to marketing deception?
An analysis of 200 of the top major online retailers found retail websites contained an average of 19 features that can encourage impulse buying. Do you think online retailers are…
H&M sells supply chain transparency
H&M announced last week that it had become the first major fashion retailer to bring transparency to its wider supply chain. Do you think a large percentage of the purchasing…
Are ‘live, work, shop, play’ environments a big part of retail’s future?
According to a new study 78 percent of U.S. adults would consider residing in “live, work, shop, play” environments. Do you see interest in “live, work, shop, play” environments as…
Is retail suffering from an emotional intelligence deficit?
One of the most popular courses in Stanford University’s MBA program is called “Organizational Behavior 374: Interpersonal Dynamics.” or, as it is otherwise known, “Touchy Feely.” How important is emotional…
Walgreens is training pharmacists to tackle mental health, opioid emergencies
Walgreens has announced it will provide mental health first aid training for pharmacists and other team members. Do you expect the role that pharmacists play to continue to expand into…
Are smartphones making sales associates obsolete?
According to new research, a majority of consumers prefer getting what they need from their phones rather than speaking with an associate at all. How do retailers find the right…
