A new study from professors at Wharton and New York University finds that although the flexibility of working multiple jobs fuels their entrepreneurial drive, gig workers are looking for some consistency in their work life and that financial incentives face limits. How do you see the gig economy affecting retail operations in the near and long term?
According to a new study, a strong social media presence is a huge part of the loyalty equation for Millennials — and not having a responsive social media presence might even result in a lost sale. Do you believe that social media for customer service is an important loyalty driver in retailing today?
Domino’s is launching a new rewards scheme that the company believes will lift not only increase its own sales, but the category as a whole. Will Domino’s Points for Pies program prove successful in converting large numbers of customers from rival pizza sellers to its own?
Marketers have long used sentiment analysis to target offers in the digital domain, but a new generation of demand forecasting capabilities is extending its use into merchandise planning. Where do you see the opportunity and limits in using sentiment analysis to help gauge demand for future product assortments?
Retailers should pay attention to important truths about experience and retail. Do you agree that the focus on delivering experiential retail often come at the expense of product and the broader shopping experience?
Kohl’s has sought to tap into the consumer demand for products related to living healthier lives. Yesterday’s announcement of a pilot collaboration with WW, the new Weight Watchers company, is just another step in that direction. Will Kohl’s collaboration with WW help promote the retailer as a destination for health-conscious consumers?
On Tuesday, Walmart significantly expanded its online offerings of sports-licensed merchandise by creating a “Fan Shop by Fanatics” marketplace on Walmart.com. Do you see the Fanatics’ partnership with Walmart as a win-win for both retailers?
In December, a four-story brick and mortar communal retail concept called SHOWFIELDS opened in lower Manhattan. What do you see as the biggest benefit that turnkey marketplaces offer digital brands as they transition to physical retail?
Foot Locker is launching a standalone experiential store concept, a strategy that it’s already piloted abroad. Will Foot Locker succeed with standalone experiential concepts in the U.S. rather than with a mall focus?
WeWork turned The We Company has some new ideas up its sleeve with the debut of a membership-free community space in New York’s Flatiron district called Made by We. How can malls and retailers benefit from coworking models?
