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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Amazon Signals Move Toward Sustainable Packaging: How Sustainability Can Drive Profit
Sustainability is becoming an important part of retail business. Can sustainability initiatives drive profit?
Will AR Tools for E-Commerce Go Mainstream in 2025?
While artificial intelligence continues to capture all the hype, AR has landed on several lists of predictions of retail technologies expected to break out in 2025. Which applications do you…
Are Millennials Actually Minimalist Consumers, or Is That a Myth?
Millennials are often associated with minimalism. Is there any truth to that label, or is it a myth?
How Should Retailers Reduce Tech Sprawl?
According to a recent survey, half of IT professionals feel overwhelmed by the thought of trying to reduce “technology sprawl.” Do you see an urgent need for retail technology consolidation?
Buying Retail ‘Dupes’ Is All the Rage, But Is It Worth It?
Younger Americans have fully embraced dupes. Will copycat merchandise gain market share?
Is Continuous Feedback Better Than Annual Performance Reviews?
Creating a culture of continuous feedback is often recommended as a better alternative to inspiring employees than the traditional annual performance review, but it also faces implementation challenges. Do you…
How Will Shopping Habits Evolve in 2025?
The holiday season is almost at an end, and as New Year’s Day approaches, thoughts turn to how shopping trends observed in 2024 might persist — or even evolve —…
Will Labor Unrest Get Worse Before It Gets Better?
Recent strikes over the holiday period show the labor pressures aren’t letting up. Do you see labor activism at retail taking another step forward or retreating in 2025?
Shake Shack, Five Guys Named Most Overpriced Fast-Food in America: But Do Customers Care?
Shake Shack and Five Guys were named the most overpriced fast-food chains. Can these brands beat back value-oriented criticism?
Is Drone Hysteria an Ominous Sign for Drone Delivery’s Prospects?
Mystery sightings of unidentified aircraft on the East Coast have exposed and elevated public anxiety around drones, but experiments around home delivery via drones continue unabated. Which concerns around drones…
Walmart, TJX Giving Body Cameras to Store Personnel: For Safety, Loss Prevention, or Both?
Some retailers are offering body cameras to staff. Will this enhance employee safety, deter crime, or both?
New Nike CEO Sees Refocus on Sports and Wholesale Reviving Growth
Nike’s new CEO Elliott Hill has vowed to stop competing against wholesale partners while making sport “our North Star” again to drive product innovation and marketing reach. Do you think…
Should Macy’s Spin Off Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury?
Activist investor Barington Capital is urging Macy’s to explore spinning off Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury. Do you see more benefits than drawbacks in doing so?
PayPal Hikes Prices for Merchants: Will Increased BNPL Fees Cause Friction?
PayPal is set to increase prices in many categories. Will increased BNPL payments cause the company to lose a competitive edge?
The Battle of the Brands: Who Will Dominate Holiday Gifting in 2024?
The retail landscape is shifting, especially concerning the busiest time of the year. Which retailers are performing best this holiday season?
What Holiday Messages Should Grocers Be Delivering?
Many holiday commercials from supermarkets continue the year-long focus on savings, but others have reached for the funny bone or arrived with a more sentimental tone showing how food can…
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?
