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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Party City To Close All US Stores: What Went Wrong?
Party City is set to close all of its U.S. locations. What exactly did the company do wrong?
Can Insurance Help Mitigate Porch Piracy Losses?
With incidents of package theft spiking every holiday selling season, merchants and customers increasingly have options to secure porch piracy insurance to reduce the risk of significant losses. How generous…
Retail Clutter Is on the Rise: Who’s To Blame?
Retail clutter is on the rise. Why are stores filling up with boxes and shipping material?
Do Grocers Like Stop & Shop Need Digital Coupon Dispensers?
Stop & Shop is rolling out Savings Station kiosks inside stores to enable shoppers to secure digital coupons without a smartphone or computer. Should other grocers follow suit?
Retail Theft Has Soared 90% vs. Pre-Pandemic: What Does the Future of Loss Prevention Look Like?
Organized retail crime is exploding. What can be done to halt retail theft?
Should Inventories Be Pulled Ahead Over Tariff Threats?
Costco is among retailers and vendors already accelerating inventory arrivals as a short-term solution to minimize exposure to President-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs. What lessons should have been learned on…
US Auto Sales Expected To Have Banner Year in 2025: Will EVs Gain Ground?
Auto sales across America are picking up steam. Will a Trump administration change things?
Vera Wang Says ‘I Do’ to Private-Equity-Backed Firm
Vera Wang, the iconic wedding dress brand self-financed since its founding in 1990, reached an agreement to be sold to WHP Global. Do you see more benefits than risks?
Gen Z May Save the Shopping Mall: How Can Mall Stores Attract Younger Consumers?
Members of Gen Z enjoy shopping with friends at the mall for various reasons. What can mall retailers do to appeal to this demographic?
Will Hy-Vee’s Digital Screens Inform or Annoy In-Store Shoppers?
Hy-Vee has announced plans to install more than 10,000 screens across its over 400 locations. Will grocery shoppers become comfortable engaging with digital ads on screens in stores?
McDonald’s Tests New ‘On the Go’ Restaurant: Are Fast-Food Dining Rooms on Borrowed Time?
McDonald’s is opening a new location focused on drive-thru, mobile orders, and lockers. Is the dining room a vestigial feature in today’s fast-food business?
Can Lord & Taylor Work as a Licensed Brand?
Lord & Taylor, under new ownership, is being relaunched as a licensed brand to be hopefully sold at once-competing stores as well as on its own website. Does it have…
Sheetz and IONNA To Launch 50 EV ‘Rechargeries’ by 2026: Are Fuel Retail Stores Positioned for Success?
Sheetz has partnered with IONNA to boost EV capabilities. What does the future hold for c-store fuel retailers?
Should Nicknames Be Frowned Upon in the Retail Workplace?
In the workplace, nicknames can be problematic, though a new study shows they can pack benefits. What are your thoughts on the do’s and don’ts of nicknames in the workplace?
McDonald’s Faces Activist Pressure on Food Waste Transparency: Is Fast-Food Wastage a Growing ESG Concern?
McDonald’s, BJ’s, and other restaurants were targeted for food waste transparency issues. Can activist shareholders actually spur change?
Are Pre-Tariff Sales Promotions Fair Game?
Several smaller retailers are running promotions urging consumers to buy now before President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs arrive to jack up prices. Is this a reasonable marketing tactic or more…
Retail Returns Add Up to an $890B Problem in 2024: Can Consumer Behaviors Be Altered?
Retail returns are becoming a huge problem. What can retailers do to curtail unscrupulous behavior?
Petco Focuses on Best Sellers and Value
Petco has provided an update on its repositioning efforts. How should Petco be communicating “value” when increasingly competing in the pet category against the online reach of Amazon, Chewy, and…
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie Team Up With Sonic: Do Celebrity Fast-Food Collabs Actually Work?
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s latest Sonic team-up is nothing new. Do celebrity fast-food collabs work?
Why Are Many Retail Associates Still Lacking Mobile Devices?
Skill and talent shortages were found to be the biggest barrier to the adoption of mobile devices for retail workers in a new survey. Has the ROI around providing store…
Is Target’s DEI Investor Lawsuit a Warning Sign for Other Retailers?
Target recently had its motion to dismiss an investor lawsuit related to its DEI initiatives denied by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Is this a…
