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How Early Should Stores Open on Black Friday?
For the fourth consecutive year, Black Friday will predominantly be a Friday event as most major retailers have shifted away from Thanksgiving openings. What time should stores open on Black…
Has Black Friday Become Even Less Relevant Post-Pandemic?
With shopping deals arriving earlier and earlier each year, Black Friday appears to have lost further buzz in 2023. Has the overall five-day Thanksgiving weekend lost further relevance since the…
Is the Thanksgiving Day Parade Worth It for Macy’s?
Macy’s has long said it considers the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade its “annual gift to the nation,” but it has never indicated whether the event is worth the cost. Should…
Are Grocers Helping Reduce Stress for Thanksgiving Cooks?
Grocers are responding to growing stress over cooking for Thanksgiving by serving up aggressive discounts to help with budgeting and planning. How would you rank the biggest stress triggers for…
Gap’s New CEO Looks To Crank Up the Volume
Gap’s CEO says that while all four of the company’s brands have incredible heritage, they need a clearer point of view. What advice would you have for Gap Inc.’s new…
Should Stores Be Relied on for Online Fulfillment?
Walgreens has joined Walmart, Target, CVS, and other retailers that are increasingly relying on stores for online deliveries. How would you rate the pros versus cons of using stores for…
Is the Melissa & Doug Brand Poised for More Success?
Melissa & Doug has opened its flagship retail store. Do you think the brand will open more brick-and-mortar stores across the nation?
Will Target Eventually Be Fully Superseded by Walmart and Amazon?
Target is in an odd position because Walmart’s brick-and-mortar footprint is much bigger and Amazon is a more prominent online player. What do you think the future holds for Target…
Are Free Samples Retail’s Best Underused Tactic?
Free samples are making a return to the aisles of Costco and expanding into more supermarkets. Do you think free samples have a significant impact on customers’ shopping experiences?
Can HomeGoods Succeed Without E-Commerce?
HomeGoods has shut down its online shopping site. Do you think this move will be more of a benefit or a detriment to HomeGoods?
Can Retail Success Be Boiled Down to Celebrity Stardom and Popularity?
Taylor Swift boosted Travis Kelce’s merchandise sales by 400% after she attended her first Chiefs game in late September. Does every brand or retailer now need strong ties with celebrities…
Can Generative AI Help Retailers Create and Design Better Products?
Online jewelry manufacturer J’evar has created its own generative AI application in order to design new products. Could generative AI dull the human aspect of product design?
Will JOANN Facing Bankruptcy Be the End for the Retailer?
After earning a CreditRiskMonitor FRISK Score of 1, JOANN might be the next retailer facing extinction. Do you think it’s too late for the retailer to avoid bankruptcy?
Have You Heard About the Power of Retail Audio Advertising?
Amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping venues, retail audio advertisements stand out as the one medium that consumers neither can nor wish to ignore. Are there any other benefits…
Will Temu Topple Both Amazon and Dollar Stores?
Temu’s popularity is rising and pushing the retailer against both Amazon and dollar stores as competition. If Temu were to match Amazon’s shipping services, do you think the company could…
Will Third-Party Apps Kickstart an AI-Powered Retail Revolution?
Klarna is the latest company to launch advanced third-party AI solutions, such as AI-powered shopping assistants, in a trend that could help retailers create more convenient experiences. How could the…
Does the Google Visitor Experience Offer a Preview of Future Retail Possibilities?
Google is dipping its toes into experiential retail with the Google Visitor Experience at its Mountain View, California, campus. How could Google use this to inform the visitor experience promised…
Has Yaysay Brought the Fun of Off-Price Selling Online?
Yaysay, a mobile shopping app that draws inspiration from social media, dating apps, and gaming interfaces, has recently launched in beta. Does it hold enough appeal to become a “5-minute…
Are Stores Set Up To Handle a Wave of Online Returns?
With many retailers no longer offering free online returns, in-store returns promise to see an uptick. Are stores ready?
Will Self-Checkout Ever Win Over Its Critics?
Self-checkout stations show little signs of slowing their expansion across retail, yet critics only appear to be getting louder. Do the benefits of self-checkout outweigh the drawbacks for both shoppers…
Are Private-Label Food Offerings Bound To Keep Growing?
A new report by FMI, The Food Industry Association, finds that 54% of shoppers plan to buy “much more” or “somewhat more” private-label brands in the future. What obvious and…
