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?
As streetwear continues to trend, one e-tailer appears to be emerging as a go-to spot for the brands that athletes, urbanites and “hype beasts” are buying. To what do you attribute the success of TheDrop and how can other streetwear-focused players differentiate and compete?
Amazon may soon seem a less hospitable place for small third-party sellers as it cozies up to larger retailers and shifts its percentage of products sourced from small suppliers to larger entities. Will Amazon’s apparent decision to reduce the wholesale business it is doing with small vendors have an impact on its performance?
Too much of a good thing can have serious repercussions. That’s a problem that the Apple store is running into as customer desire to take advantage of the retailer’s tech classes has outpaced available space. How can Apple mitigate the conflict between shoppers and learners given the limited space within its stores?
A new study from Deloitte Digital offers more proof that while shared values and rational thinking bring customers to brands, emotions drive loyalty, advocacy and preference. What advice would you have for capitalizing on emotional data at scale?
Underscoring the many challenges facing the department store sector, Kohl’s, J.C. Penney and Nordstrom all last week reported disappointing first-quarter earnings. What are the toughest hurdles the basic department store model faces as its remaining players work to reinvent themselves?
Move over Amazon.com and Walmart — Target wants a bigger piece of the retail advertising pie. Will owning advertising businesses become a major competitive advantage for large retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart?
With summer just around the corner, many retailers are in full-force seasonal hiring mode. Yet beyond finding solid candidates to work your selling floor, shouldn’t it be just as important to train them? What tips would you have for getting the most out of seasonal hires?
