Tom Ryan
RetailWire.com
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Past articles by Tom:
Do retailers need a more data-driven approach to in-store merchandising?
“Every rearrangement can then be used as the basis for the next. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research has considered this effect.” → Read More
New Raspberry Rally Girl Scout cookie resold at a huge markup on eBay
“When cookies are purchased through an unauthorized third-party seller, Girl Scout troops are deprived of valuable experience and, more importantly, proceeds that fund critical programming throughout the year.” → Read More
Will Old Navy chart a course for profitable growth?
Old Navy’s focus on “execution discipline” has helped it in “identifying areas of opportunities for organizational efficiency.” → Read More
Should Adidas sell, destroy or donate Yeezy sneakers?
The terminated Yeezy contract is expected to reduce Adidas’s revenues by €1.2 billion in 2023 and cause a loss between €500 million and €1 billion, depending on whether the remaining inventory can be repurposed. → Read More
Is home improvement set for a quick rebuild?
“People are going to want to make more significant improvements on those homes. So, we remain and just couldn't be more bullish on the longer-term view of this industry.” → Read More
Why data analytics teams must speak retail
A risk-averse culture with unclear goals and some employees considering their work as “more art than science” are also inhibitors. → Read More
When will Best Buy’s sales recover?
Best Buy last week forecast sales would decline three-to-six percent in 2023 amid macroeconomic pressures. The chain reported a 10.3 decline in 2022. → Read More
Will Amazon Go ever get going?
Amazon.com announced last week that it plans to permanently close eight of its 28 Amazon Go convenience stores. The first Go opened in January 2018 and featured the debut of its “Just Walk Out” technology. → Read More
Why did Nordstrom fail in Canada?
Nordstrom has decided to shutter its small base of stores in Canada, making it the latest U.S.-based retailer to face a chilly reception after expanding up north, joining previous U.S.-based retailers like Lowe's and Target. → Read More
Albertsons links grocery discounts to healthy habits
Albertsons has introduced a digital health and wellness platform that enables customers to track their health and wellness goals and receive rewards, including grocery discounts, for surpassing them. How much consumer appeal do you see in Albertsons’ Sincerely Health platform linking loyalty rewards to fitness, nutrition and mental health goals? → Read More
Should all employees – not just IT – be driving digital investments?
A Microsoft survey finds employees looking for a greater say when it comes to new technology investments and initiatives driving digital transformation efforts. Should employees have more say when it comes to digital initiatives? → Read More
Where should retailers start with ‘generative’ AI?
Amazon is believed to be behind the “generative” AI race between Microsoft and Google, which hosted media events in early February highlighting their generative AI technology. What advice would you have for retailers exploring generative AI systems like ChatGPT? → Read More
Should retailers open stores in malls or look outside for better results?
Bath & Body Works, among several chains reorienting their footprint away from malls, added 95 off-mall North American stores in 2022 and plans to open approximately 90 more in 2023. Does the growth opportunity for traditional mall-based chains still appear bigger off-mall or is the view of enclosed shopping malls overly pessimistic? → Read More
Should brands and retailers be concerned about the ‘de-influencing’ trend?
“De-influencing,” trending on TikTok since January, amounts to a backlash against overconsumption caused by social media influencers. Whether it’s bad for the influencer community is up for debate. Do you see the de-influencing trend on TikTok as an authentic backlash that may force influencers to reassess how they promote products and brands? → Read More
Are AI-generated ads worth the risks?
A university study determined that only half of artificial intelligence-generated ads are open about the fact they were created by bots, potentially tricking consumers into false beliefs or causing confusion and dissatisfaction. Will AI-generated advertising content drive more benefits or chaos for marketers? → Read More
Would online grocery benefit from low inventory alerts?
A university study finds telling online shoppers that grocery supplies are low can help retain them over the long term. How would you rate the pros and cons of letting online grocery shoppers know when inventories are low? → Read More
Can location-based marketing overcome its creepiness factor?
A new global survey finds 67 percent of U.S. consumers think ads based on location data are “creepy” with only 31 percent comfortable sharing their location in real-time. Will location-based marketing eventually overcome the consumer perception that it is a creepy technology? → Read More
Is inflation giving grocers a bad rap?
Shoppers believe grocers are making 14 times more profit than they actually are and also believe food-at-home inflation is about two times higher than reality, according to a new dunnhumby analysis. Are grocers in a “precarious position with their brand perception” in the face of rampant food inflation? → Read More
What’s holding back merchandising execution?
A lack of planogram compliance and ineffective localization continues to complicate the merchandising process. Further exacerbating these challenges is the proliferation of channels, digitally adept shoppers and rapidly changing preferences, according to a recent study. What are the newer and classic barriers to merchandise execution? → Read More
Will ChatGPT reinvent search?
Microsoft and Google both revealed plans last week to introduce their own ChatGPT-style product, joining the hype around the AI-driven chatbot technology. Do you see ChatGPT and similar AI-driven technology transforming product discovery and online interactions for retailers? → Read More