Walmart is looking to take the lead in the competition for talent with a new employment pitch to high school students that includes flexible work schedules and the opportunity to earn a college degree debt-free. What do you see as the biggest barriers to teenagers working in retail industry jobs?
IKEA announced the launch of a new mobile app which, unlike previous incarnations, will allow customers to buy directly from the retailer. How important is it for IKEA to enable customers to place orders using its mobile app?
President Trump said he planned to impose a five percent tariff on all Mexican imports to pressure the Mexican government into offering more help stemming illegal immigration. Is the potential impact of tariffs on Mexican imports any greater for American businesses and consumers than those being placed on Chinese goods?
Why is it that experience is so often our number one criteria? Because we assume an experienced person will require less training and be able to get up to speed faster. Do you agree that experience is overrated for many retail positions?
Amazon.com is exploring an acquisition of Boost Mobile, Sprint’s low-cost, prepaid carrier, as well as any wireless spectrum that may become available as a result of the Sprint and T-Mobile merger. Does it make sense for Amazon to acquire Boost Mobile and/or launch its own wireless network?
If a returned item is going to be thrown out anyway, why not refund the customer and let them keep it? How would you assess the pros and cons of offering refunds for unwanted online purchases without requiring a physical return?
For all the talk about the changing consumer behavior, it turns out that Millennials aren’t all that much different than past generations. They just don’t have as much disposable income. What do you see as the most significant changes in consumer behavior over the past 10 to 20 years in the U.S.?
Effectively managing online perception requires a systematic approach that supports brand strategy. How can brands and retailers manage word of mouth and online chatter when the vast majority of conversations take place outside of social channels and sites they have control over?
Abercrombie & Fitch is expecting big things from small boxes. The specialty clothing retailer is continuing its transition from larger flagship stores to “smaller, more omnichannel spaces in the best locations.” What do you find most encouraging about the changes being made by Abercrombie & Fitch’s management?
“Some employees have more potential than others.” “The best employees are well-rounded individuals.” Most HR professionals agree, but in a keynote at the Wharton People Analytics Conference, the speaker flat-out called them “lies.” Are employee development programs overly focused on fixing individuals’ weaknesses rather than building on their strengths?
