Amazon has taken steps to answer its critics and improve its brand image at the same time. Yesterday, the company announced the creation of Fulfillment by Amazon Donations. Do you think Amazon, generally speaking, is winning or losing the public relations battle with critics of its business practices?
By mixing and matching data resources, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare has been able to target shoppers more effectively and identify growth opportunities for its retailer customers. What advice would you have for using multiple data sources for category and customer insights?
ThredUP bills itself as the largest online thrift store. Soon it may also call itself the largest online thrift store inside the biggest department store chain in the U.S. What do you think of Macy’s partnership with thredUP and its place in the chain’s strategy to attract younger customers?
A classic “buy nine, get one free” loyalty program is often an effective way to squeeze a little more value out of a low- or mid-tier customer. Are these types of programs the right way for retailers to appeal to their very best customers, as well? Do you see a real need for retailers to upgrade loyalty programs/rewards for their highest value customers?
It’s not always easy to find grocery workers who want to stick with a company — especially an independent — and move up, a fact The National Grocers Association Foundation hopes to address with its new NGA Foundation Career Center website. Will a national job board and resource site like NGA’s lead to the recruitment of better talent for independent grocers?
Kohl’s, like many other retailers, is looking to attract younger shoppers and keep them as customers. To do this, the chain is turning to Facebook for help. What do you think of Kohl’s curating a selection of niche brands based on Facebook and Instagram popularity?
Nordstrom Local, a hub for online order pickups and returns, is heavy on services and helpful staff but low on inventory. Do you think service-oriented “showrooms” shortchange customers, or is the limited scope of what they do understood by shoppers?
When a van delivery from regional grocer H-E-B arrives at a customer’s house, there might not be anyone in the driver’s seat — if things work out with a planned pilot. What will be the determining factor(s) if/when autonomous delivery tech is rolled out on a widespread basis?
Nike Adventure Club is the athletic brand’s first subscription service designed for kids. Nike is promoting the service, which launched yesterday, as “a parent’s best friend.” Do you expect that the Nike Adventure Club will be a success or a failure?
When Amazon.com announced a c-store that would let people shop and walk out without physically conducting a transaction at a checkout, it seemed like a feat only they could pull off. Now, even regional grocers are attempting the same. What does the use of checkout-free technology by regional grocers mean for Amazon and its retail rivals?
