H&M will cease printing its catalog after 39 years
H&M has announced plans to discontinue its catalog business. What factors, in your mind, argue for or against dumping retail print catalogs?
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What will Walmart gain from its ‘returnship’ program?
Walmart is helping a specific segment of the tech labor market get its skills up to speed. What advantages might Walmart gain by cultivating talent that wants to return to the tech workforce after an absence?
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Will a strategy built around changing people’s lives transform Lululemon’s business?
Calvin McDonald, Lululemon’s CEO since last August, views the yoga-themed retailer more as an experiential brand than a lifestyle one. What do you think of Lululemon’s Sweatlife? What hurdles do you see facing Lululemon as it seeks to position its brand around this philosophy of living?
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Who is winning the shopping search race — Amazon or Google?
Google is most often the first destination for shoppers looking for inspiration or starting a purchase journey with a specific product in mind, according to recent research. How do you think Google stacks up against Amazon when it comes to inspiration and discovery in the online shopping journey?
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What companies need to know before using AI
Retailers and brands should not embark upon the use of AI without first understanding it. Why do retailers seem to have a hard time explaining their use of AI and fail to adequately employ testing and learning strategies around the technology?
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Will Walmart’s ‘Great Workplace’ test work for its customers and associates?
Walmart is experimenting with several versions of a new store management structure under its “Great Workplace” initiative. Do you think Walmart’s “Great Workplace” staffing structure will produce stores that are more responsive to the needs of customers?
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Do urgency tactics used by online retailers amount to marketing deception?
An analysis of 200 of the top major online retailers found retail websites contained an average of 19 features that can encourage impulse buying. Do you think online retailers are using questionable tactics to create a sense of urgency around purchases?
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H&M sells supply chain transparency
H&M announced last week that it had become the first major fashion retailer to bring transparency to its wider supply chain. Do you think a large percentage of the purchasing decisions made by H&M’s customers will be influenced by its openness about product sourcing?
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Are ‘live, work, shop, play’ environments a big part of retail’s future?
According to a new study 78 percent of U.S. adults would consider residing in “live, work, shop, play” environments. Do you see interest in “live, work, shop, play” environments as an expanding, long-term trend?
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Is retail suffering from an emotional intelligence deficit?
One of the most popular courses in Stanford University’s MBA program is called “Organizational Behavior 374: Interpersonal Dynamics.” or, as it is otherwise known, “Touchy Feely.” How important is emotional intelligence to the top- and bottom-line performance of retail organizations?
