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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Are Retail Holidays Becoming the Norm? Nike SNKRS Day vs. Yeezy Day
Retail holidays might be on the verge of becoming mainstream. Should all big-name brands establish their own yearly holiday that offers sales, exclusive products, restocks, entertainment, and more?
Is Pickleball a Game Changer for American Retailers?
Pickleball is becoming America’s hottest and fastest-growing sport, and it’s creating a major shift for retail. In what other ways can sports and retail continue converging for consumers?
Does TJX Have the Most Bulletproof Business Model in Today’s Retail Market?
Department stores have been losing market share for years, while TJX has grown and thrived. What actions do department stores have to take to stop the market share drift to…
Will Google’s Antitrust Trial Guide the Internet’s Future?
The Justice Department’s landmark antitrust case against Google is being viewed as the first monopoly trial of the modern internet era. What do you suspect will be the outcome?
Should Chicago Be Getting Into the Grocery Business?
Chicago’s mayor is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether the city could open a municipally owned grocery store in an underserved neighborhood. Is a city-run grocer a viable solution…
Mastering Omnichannel Optimization at eTail Boston
eTail Boston’s main theme this year revolved around the art of cultivating personalized customer relationships in an omnichannel landscape. How are you creating a harmonious omnichannel experience for your customers?
Will Late-Night Delivery Pay Off for Walmart?
Walmart is now offering late-night Express Delivery until 10 p.m. for orders placed by 9:30 p.m. Will this offering benefit Walmart enough to offset execution challenges
Was Howard Schultz a ‘Distraction’ for Starbucks’ Board?
Howard Schultz, who built Starbucks’ coffee empire, stepped down from the company’s board of directors last week. What do you make of his legacy?
Will Instacart Succeed as an Advertising Company After Going Public?
Instacart is getting ready to change things up as they go public by leaning more heavily into advertising. If Instacart succeeds with its focus on ads, do you think others…
Is a 413-Store Divestiture Enough for the Kroger-Albertsons Merger?
Kroger and Albertsons are selling 413 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers to get regulatory approval for their planned merger. Is C&S a good choice to create a new competitor for…
Should Stores Close on Christmas Eve?
Altar’d State will be closing all of its stores on Christmas Eve for the first time this year. Would many chains engender enough goodwill from associates and consumers to offset…
Should U.S. Retailers Be Fighting Suppliers Against Shrinkflation?
A French supermarket recently began warning shoppers of shrinkflation by putting labels on its shelves to encourage supplies to cut their prices. Should U.S. grocers push back against shrinkflation as…
Can Target’s New Deal With Kendra Scott Boost Its Holiday Season?
Kendra Scott hits the mark with her exclusive jewelry, but will it help or hurt Target?
Do Marketers Have a Disconnect With the Average Joe and Jane?
A recent survey highlights how a growing disparity between consumer and marketer values can lead to campaigns that focus on trends consumers don’t care about. How can marketers reduce these…
Online Shopping Sees Falling Inflation Prices, but the Rest of the Economy Suffers
Online shoppers experienced falling prices throughout August, which is a positive sign that inflation is slowing down. Can consumers’ new spending priorities help curb inflation?
Can Party City Find Reasons To Celebrate Post-Bankruptcy?
Party City will exit bankruptcy with its debt load reduced by almost $1 billion and nearly 800 stores intact. How will the greatly reduced debt load help Party City improve…
Can Generative AI Power Best-in-Class Personalization for Estée Lauder?
Estée Lauder is seeking to enhance its operations through a partnership with Google Cloud that will focus on finding new uses for generative AI. Will advances in generative AI be…
Costco Loyalty Is the New Hot Fashion Brand
Kirkland Signature clothing has a cult following while Costco brand loyalty and membership remains at an all-time high. Have Costco shoppers become more loyal to the big box warehouse because…
Will AI Take Online Product Search to Another Level?
A crop of AI-powered product discovery startups have arrived. Is product search on retail websites and marketplaces generally underwhelming, and will AI improve results?
Should School Cafeterias Welcome Lunchables?
Kraft Heinz’s move to get its Lunchables into school cafeterias starting this fall has drawn pushback from parent groups and nutrition advocates. Should parents be concerned about nutrition-upgraded variations of…
Atlanta-Based Walmart To Reopen With a Police Substation
A Walmart in Atlanta will reopen next May with a police department substation in the latest measure to address a shoplifting epidemic across retail. What do you think of the…
