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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Schnucks Gives Seessel’s Its Name in June
Schnuck Markets, Inc. has decided to give the 12 remaining Seessel’s stores in the Memphis area its name. Is Schnucks making the right decision by replacing the Seessel’s name on…
Lowe’s Reports First Quarter Increases
Lowe’s Companies Inc. reports a 53.5 percent increase in net earnings for the quarter ended May 3 compared to the same period last year. Also, comparable store sales for the…
It Takes a Meijer Village
Meijer unveils four new “village-style” stores today in Bolingbrook and McHenry, Illinois, Madison Heights, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio. Will Meijer’s village concept stores be a hit with consumers?
Tips on Marketing to Kids
Many marketers are surprised to find that in marketing to kids, every dollar spent can deliver three dollars of value. Which categories are most underdeveloped for the kids market? What…
Kellogg Extends and Repackages Pop-Tarts
Kellogg will extend its Pop-Tarts franchise next month with a new Snak-Stix version. It also has plans to change all Pop-Tarts’ packaging from white to blue and to offer a…
SoBe Aims for Mainstream
SoBe is launching its first television ad campaign in an attempt to move the brand into the mass market. What lessons can SoBe/Pepsi learn from the failed Snapple/Quaker deal?…
Teens Prefer Value-Priced Fashions
The Ireland-wide Verdict Report has revealed that young people, in particular, favor value-priced clothing from supermarkets. Will this Northern Ireland fashion trend make its way to this side of the…
Estee Lauder Outsources E-Commerce
Estee Lauder Companies Inc.’s on-line subsidiary has agreed to outsource certain aspects of e-commerce for cosmetics retailer Gloss.com to Global Sports Inc. What are the advantages/disadvantage of outsourcing e-commerce?
The Late Dave Thomas Returns to Wendy’s Ads
Wendy’s International plans to resurrect its late founder, Dave Thomas, in its advertising and marketing efforts beginning next month, after removing him from its campaigns out of respect after his…
The Perils of Reverse Auctions
Retailers have embraced Reverse Internet Auctions and “on-premise shootouts” with respect to their store brands, where the sole consideration in negotiating supply contracts is price. All of the other necessary…
Wireless Web Devices Enable Sales Associates at REI
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) is testing the use of web-enabled wireless devices in its retail stores to give sales associates faster access to product information at REI.com. How will technology…
e-learning Enhances Retailers’ Competitive Edge
A survey last year by the National Retail Federation found that 80 percent of members were moving toward alternative education outside of traditional classrooms, some via the web. Is e-learning…
Five Half-truths Undermine Business
The Enron, Andersen and Global Crossing business catastrophes are at the pinnacle of a culture that is increasingly defined by selfishness. Carried to the extreme, the glorification of greed causes…
63 Million Americans Make Values-Driven Purchases
Concern about human and planetary health significantly affect attitudes, behaviors and usage patterns of 30 percent of the U.S. adult population who constitute the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS)…
Consumers Are Willing to Pay for Online Music
A new study suggests that content providers and distributors may find plenty of adults willing to pay for tunes downloaded from the Internet. Is there a future for digital retailing?
Safeway Promises to Disassociate from Inhumane Suppliers
Safeway has agreed to immediately implement unannounced audits of the treatment of farm animals in accordance with PETA’s lobbying efforts. The supermarket chain has also pledged to sever relations with…
Wal-Mart Applies to Buy Its Own Bank
Wal-Mart Stores is seeking regulatory approval to buy a small California bank. What would be the effect of Wal-Mart getting into banking/financial services business?
Wal-Mart Plans to Open Its First California Supercenters
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to open its first 40 Supercenters in California within the next four to six years. How will Wal-Mart’s Supercenter push into California impact the grocery business…
Car Seat Safety Concerns
Infants and toddlers placed in specific types of car seats may not be protected from being thrown out of vehicles during rollover crashes, experts report. In what ways can retailers…
BP Connects with Food and Fuel
BP’s self-stamped “gas station of the future,” BP Connect, emphasizes things other than its popular Amoco gasoline. BP’s effort comes at a time when gasoline stores are facing increasing competition…
Sony and Microsoft Get Serious with Price Cuts
Microsoft Corp. answered Sony Corp’s markdown of its PlayStation 2 video-game machine to $199 by slashing the price of its Xbox by 33 percent in the U.S. Will the…
