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Costco Wholesale Starts a Gold Bar Shopping Trend
Costco Wholesale has struck gold bars and wants to share it with its members. How might the trend of selling gold shift the retail industry’s approach to product diversification, particularly…
Does Amazon Need a Grocery Delivery Subscription Offering?
Amazon is testing a $9.99 monthly subscription model earning Prime members unlimited delivery on Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods orders over $35. Do you think this move will help Amazon…
The Evolution of Retro Toys and the Future of AI Toys in the Market
In today’s market, toy entrepreneurs battle for costly licensing rights to vintage toys, banking on nostalgia and seeing intense competition for shared brand rights. Is playtime over for toys in…
Do Small-Format Stores Have an Advantage in Retail?
The average store size in the U.S. is the smallest it’s been in at least 17 years. What factors are driving this shift?
Will the CosMc’s Spinoff Take Off or Fall Flat?
Now that CosMc’s has launched, it will be interesting to see if it can remain in orbit. To what extent do you believe the power of nostalgia can drive success…
Is the Stigma Around Secondhand Gifting Largely Gone?
While purchasing pre-owned items for yourself to save money has become increasingly accepted, secondhand gifting also continues to trend upward. Is the trend more positive than negative for mainstream retail?
A Doritos x Empirical Alcoholic Beverage Is the Latest Brand Collaboration
Doritos is taking a unique approach to increase its tortilla chip consumption — through a Doritos alcoholic drink. How does a traditionally non-alcoholic brand like Doritos effectively measure the success…
How Long Will Pet Retailers Remain in the Doghouse?
In 2023, pet adoptions have declined and the pet category has proven to be less resistant to macroeconomic pressures than predicted. What does the pet category’s sales slowdown reveal about…
Is a Real Estate-Driven Buyout Good for Macy’s?
Macy’s received a $5.8 billion buyout offer from an investor consortium in an apparent bid to take America’s largest department store chain private. Do you see any potential benefit to…
Are Small Retailers Behind the Omnichannel Curve?
A recent survey finds small retailers falling short of delivering a convenient online experience. Where do you see smaller stores at a disadvantage to larger chains in digital-facing technologies?
Will CVS’s New Reimbursement Model Be Better for Drug Pricing?
CVS Health announced plans to switch to a more “transparent” prescription reimbursement model for its pharmacies. Will a more straightforward approach offer a better path to reducing drug prices?
Why Is Starbucks on the Decline, and Can the Situation Be Turned Around?
Starbucks has been getting plenty of attention lately — but for all the wrong reasons. What do you think is the primary reason for Starbucks’ recent decline, and do you…
Should Retailers Embrace ‘Keep It’ Return Policies?
More and more retailers are offering “keep it” policies for returns that aren’t financially viable to ship back this holiday season. Do you see more pros than cons in these…
Do Saks and Neiman Marcus Belong Together?
Neiman Marcus reportedly rejected a $3 billion offer to be acquired by Saks Fifth Avenue, but the companies are still in talks. Does a merger of Saks and Neiman Marcus…
Is the Reopened Burbank Sears a Comeback or a Letdown?
Sears has reopened a store in California, but it has received a lot of criticism from shoppers. Would you consider it a success or failure so far?
Does Black Friday Weekend’s Performance Bode Well for Holiday Selling?
The sales and traffic over Black Friday weekend generally topped expectations in a positive sign for holiday selling. Were you encouraged by Black Friday weekend’s traffic?
Will Walmart’s ‘RomCommerce’ Make Shoppers Swoon?
Walmart is launching its first shoppable video series, “Add to Heart,” a holiday-themed love story with over 330 products available for purchase. What will be critical in converting episode viewers…
What Is the Future of Self-Checkout Lanes at Target and Other Retailers?
Target has started testing 10-items-or-less checkout lanes at a handful of its stores. How can retailers strike the right balance between efficient self-checkout options and maintaining a high level of…
Will Wegmans Revolutionize the Supermarket?
Wegmans has opened a new location in Manhattan that pushes beyond the typical supermarket format as a hybrid grocery store and food hall. Do you think more supermarkets will adopt…
Is Mobile Shopping a Better Experience Than Desktop Shopping?
Shopping on mobile devices is expected to account for more online purchases this holiday season than desktops and laptops for the first time. How would you rate the advantages and…
Can Generative AI Help Shoppers Find the Perfect Gift?
In mid-November, Google introduced a number of tools showing how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can make finding a gift for someone more visual, natural, and intuitive as well as less…
