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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Fresh Produce Captures US Grocery Shoppers’ Interest, but Tariffs May Push Prices Upward
Americans are increasingly interested in fresh fruits and vegetables. Will tariffs stymie that interest as prices increase?
Should the US Penny Be Ditched?
President Trump has directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies. Should retailers and restaurants strongly support the penny’s elimination?
McDonald’s Pivots to Chicken in a Bid To Improve Weak Sales: Will It Work?
McDonald’s has indicated a continued focus on chicken products in 2025. Will this pivot improve the company’s bottom line?
What Common Mistakes Are Made in Conducting Job Interviews?
A common mistake hiring managers make when conducting a job interview is not fully understanding what skills and traits the ideal candidate for the role should possess. What advice would…
LEGO’s Secret: Leveraging Physical Retail Spaces Into Places for Storytelling
LEGO has built a lasting, iconic brand. Is it successfully navigating the increasingly fast-paced retail landscape of today?
Why Is Amazon Flailing at Brick-and-Mortar Retail?
Amazon has faced numerous shortcomings across its experiments with brick-and-mortar retail over the years. Is there a common missing element across Amazon’s underwhelming experiments with physical retail?
Small Business Owners Face Labor Shortages, Economic Uncertainty Yet Remain Optimistic: NFIB Survey
The latest NFIB shows mixed emotions and significant concerns amid small business owners. What can be done to address these issues?
Are Temporary Surcharges Better Than Higher Menu Prices?
Waffle House’s move to add a temporary 50-cent-per-egg surcharge tied to an ongoing egg shortage, instead of raising menu prices, has drawn significant media coverage. Was it the right move?
ALDI Makes a Deeper Push Into National Grocery Market, Opening 225 Stores in 2025 as Part of 5-Year Strategy
ALDI is expanding at a rapid pace. Will it be able to gain ground against Walmart and Costco?
Are Angry Canadian Consumers a Blow for US Retail?
The threat of significant U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods has sparked a “buy Canadian” movement. Will U.S. brands and retailers feel much of an impact?
The Surge of AI in Super Bowl Commercials: Selling Innovation or Pushing Too Far?
This year’s Super Bowl 2025 made it clear that AI isn’t just something we use; it’s something brands want us to relate to. How can retailers ensure AI-driven marketing maintains…
The Future of the American B Mall (and Other Grades) Remains in Flux as Fortunes Diverge
American shopping malls are awarded different letter grades based on performance. What about America’s B malls?
Who Won This Year’s Super Bowl Ad Contest?
This year’s Super Bowl ads showcased celebrities, tapped into nostalgia, and aimed for laughs. Which one did you think was the best?
Super Bowl Shaping Up To Be the Next American Holiday, at Least as Far as Omnichannel Sales Are Concerned
Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be a massive retail event aside from the game itself. Is the big game becoming an omnichannel shopping holiday?
Is Elevated Pay a Core Driver of Costco’s Success?
Costco recently announced plans to give its associates another raise. How important is keeping hourly pay a step above competitors as an ingredient behind Costco’s success?
Peloton Makes Something of a Recovery With Mixed Earnings, Has a ‘Steep Hill To Climb’ To Reach Profitability
Peloton is struggling to regain its footing after the end of the pandemic. Can its new CEO turn things around?
Will Anything Beat 7-Eleven’s ‘Free Pizza’ Super Bowl Deal?
Standing out among a plethora of food deals arriving ahead of the Super Bowl, 7-Eleven is offering a free pizza with customers’ first order on the 7NOW Delivery app. What’s…
The End of De Minimis: What Do New Tariff Rules Mean for Temu, SHEIN, and Other Chinese E-Tailers?
With Chinese e-tailers facing not only the imposition of the tariffs themselves but also the closing of the de minimis exemption, how might Temu, SHEIN, and others in the space…
Are Expectations for E-Commerce Performance Rising?
Customer satisfaction with online retailers has dipped slightly. What are the obvious and less obvious pain points still around the online shopping experience?
Pepsi Pivots to Healthier Snacks as North American Sales Slow: Will It Work?
PepsiCo has suffered a sales slump in North America. Can a pivot to healthier products pay off?
Does Instacart Need a Super Bowl Ad?
Joining DoorDash and Uber Eats, Instacart is rolling out its first Super Bowl commercial with the goal of turning the delivery platform into more of a household name. Does Instacart…
