Consumers are demanding less packaging. A new study indicates, however, that this trend won’t translate into less spending on packaging in the coming year. What trends in CPG do you think are most responsible for driving the projected higher packaging costs?
One of the main reasons dynamic pricing isn’t more broadly used is that it is incredibly complicated to execute. Do you see dynamic pricing becoming more pervasive online and a bigger factor at store level in the years ahead?
Once bustling retail hubs are now harboring thousands of square feet in unused space up for the taking. Who is vying for this real estate? Companies prioritizing (and expanding) e-commerce. Do you see a significantly greater role for stores to be used as fulfillment centers?
Giant Foods president Nick Bertram revealed at the NRF Big Show in January that his company and sister business Stop & Shop, were in the process of rolling out Marty, a 6’3” robotic assistant, to all the stores operated by the two chains. Are robots currently being deployed in stores ready for their primetime performances?
Kroger announced that it will begin levying service fees for all purchases paid with a debit card in which the customer requests cash back. Do you approve of Kroger’s move to charge customers for cash back debit card purchases?
J.C. Penney, by CEO Jill Soltau’s own admission, has to move faster if the department store chain is going to get ahead of its competitors and turn its ailing business around. Do you think that Penney still has the time and resources to turn its business around?
University researchers have formulated a scale of 10 characteristics defining “coolness” that can be used to assess if a brand is becoming cool and staying cool. What are the benefits and limitations to brand managers of a measurement model of brand coolness?
The video editing technology that has been dubbed “deepfake” has some spooky potential implications, but startups are looking for ways it might be useful at retail. Do you see value in deepfake technology for retailers and brands as a try-on tool?
More than 1.3 million U.S. workers have lost their jobs in the past decade because of private equity ownership in retail, according to a new report. How much blame for the bankruptcies plaguing retail over the last decade should be placed on private equity deals?
Staples has launched Staples Worklife, a quarterly magazine aimed at professionals “who see their work as more than just a job.” A Staples Worklife podcast, e-newsletter, digital community and live events will soon follow. Will the launch be essential to Staples’ success?
