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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Gump’s Threatened San Francisco Exit Highlights Downtown Struggles
High-end retailer Gump warned that it may soon close its sole location after 166 years due to deteriorating local conditions. Is San Francisco a unique situation or do many big…
Have Influencers Become Integral to Product Launches?
More and more retailers are using influencers for product launches to drive discovery. Have influencers transformed the path to discovery for new brands and products, at least in certain categories?…
Will Amazon Expand Its Retail Media Lead With Off-Site Ads?
Amazon is expanding its ad offerings by extending Sponsored Products campaigns to other sites, including Pinterest, BuzzFeed, and Lifehacker. Do you think Amazon Sponsored Products will prove as successful off…
Should Trader Joe’s Add Self-Checkout Options?
Trader Joe’s has strongly denied rumors that the grocer was planning to offer self-checkout options. Has offering a self-checkout option become an expectation at grocers?
Can Product Placement Break Through the Advertising Clutter?
A new survey finds that 52% of U.S. consumers would prefer to watch a TV program with product placement over traditional advertising. How would you rate product placement’s effectiveness in…
Is Retail Grocery Heading Toward a Final Showdown?
The world of supermarket retail might be nearing a climactic showdown sooner than predicted. Do you think the future of grocery retail will involve only Walmart, Target, and the final…
Is TJX Companies’ Among the Biggest Benefactors of Bed Bath & Beyond’s Demise?
TJX Companies has reported a very profitable Q2 2024 thanks to an inflation-friendly business model and the opportunities created by the shutdown of Bed Bath & Beyond’s physical footprint. How…
Will America’s Coffee Drinkers Embrace Reusable Cups?
Starbucks continues to make progress with its reusable cup tests, including letting customers bring in their own cups for a discount, borrow cups in a variety of ways, and even…
Is Kroger’s Expanded Vertical Farm Partnership a Sign of the Future?
Kroger is expanding the availability of vertically farmed produce across the Midwest and Southeast by extending its partnership with supplier 80 Acres Farms to about 1,000 stores. Will this expanded…
Why Did Walmart Outperform Target in the Second Quarter?
Same-store sales at Walmart’s U.S. stores climbed 6.4% in the second quarter while rival Target’s declined 5.4%. What do you think was behind Walmart’s outperformance and Target’s underperformance?
Will Amazon Conquer Healthcare Next?
Amazon is deepening its commitment to healthcare with the introduction of automatic coupons for more than 15 insulin and diabetes care brands through Amazon Pharmacy. Will this make Amazon Pharmacy…
Retailers Help Generate $14 Billion for Black-Owned Companies
Retailers have been making good on their pledges to support Black-owned businesses, resulting in $14 billion in revenue driven to these companies since May 2020. Do you expect more major…
Why Is It Easy To Sell & Buy Toxic Lead Toys on Amazon?
Lead is an extremely toxic substance that should never be exposed to children, yet lead toys and products still run rampant in today’s marketplace. Should Amazon begin testing products for…
Why Does Celebrity Advertising Work?
Celebrity endorsements are popular, but they can backfire. What are the obvious and less obvious reasons celebrity-backed campaigns often work in raising brand awareness and driving purchase consideration?
Whose Slogan Said It Better, Human or AI?
Humans and AI face off again, this time with brand slogans. Do you think all companies and brands should be utilizing AI to some degree, especially with marketing?
Are Senior Discount Programs Worth It?
Although many retailers offer senior discounts, most of the major chains don’t, and some larger chains have discontinued their programs in recent years. Is offering a special discount to certain…
Should Facial Recognition for Theft Get Another Look?
Facial recognition technology was recently introduced at four Fairway Market locations and two ShopRite locations as an anti-theft tool. Is the use of facial recognition technology to deter shoplifting becoming…
Will Retail End Up Paying for UPS Drivers’ Fatter Salaries?
Full-time UPS drivers will earn an average of $170,000 in annual pay and benefits at the end of the carrier’s new five-year contract agreement. Do you expect UPS’ new employee…
What Advantages Will a Bigger Physical Footprint Offer Warby Parker?
Warby Parker is pushing full steam ahead on store openings, with 13 new locations added in Q2 2023. Why have store openings been particularly successful for Warby Parker compared to…
What Lies in Store for Brick-and-Mortar Retail as It Approaches $4.2 Trillion?
Forrester expects offline sales to hit $4.2 trillion by 2028 and account for 72% of the total retail market. What do you think the biggest contributors to offline retail’s continued…
Is Halloween Selling Creeping Too Early?
Halloween sales start earlier and earlier each year. Do you see more benefits than drawbacks in stores stocking select Halloween merchandise well before October?
