Bryan Pearson
RetailWire.com
Toronto, ON, Canada
Contact Bryan
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Bryan:
Brands and retailers try to solve the puzzle that is tween boys – RetailWire
Photo: @lelia_milaya via Twenty20 Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the blog of LoyaltyOne. The article first appeared on Forbes.com. Target in July introduced an exclusive line designed for girls aged eight to 12, called “More Than Magic.” Its nearly 500 items resulted from interviews with girls and their parents, which raises… → Read More
Will Amazon’s Prime Day Ruin Christmas? 5 Unexpected Ways It's Already Changed Retail
Thanks to Prime Day, July is now a major shopping month as Target, Walmart and others vie for a piece of shoppers’ already-open wallets. So how is this shaping Christmas spending, and is it permanent? Here's a look at the unexpected ways Amazon has changed retail. → Read More
Walmart, Lowe’s And Others Are Getting Real About Training: How Immersive Tech Works
Several major retailers are immersing workers in real-life scenarios through virtual reality software and equipment. The training can cover a range of situations, from empathizing with frustrated shoppers to handling a robbery. But does it make a difference? → Read More
Macy’s balances plusses and minuses of free shipping to loyal customers – RetailWire
Photo: RetailWire Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the blog of LoyaltyOne. The article first appeared on Forbes.com. One million customers have joined Macy’s Bronze-level tier per quarter since the the Star Reward program was relaunched in May 2018. Many Bronze members are close to Gold status, which comes with free-shipping… → Read More
Walmart Is Streaming Shoppable Shows, And That Could Change Shopping
Forget the wallet and coupons. Shopping in 2019 is more likely to involve two other essentials: A digital device and a bowl of popcorn. photocredit: Getty One of the biggest names in retail, Walmart, is investing in entertainment that will include shoppable programming. Its Vudu streaming video service, which offers digital access to videos sold at Walmart, is expanding into original content and… → Read More
Walmart Is Streaming Shoppable Shows, And That Could Change Shopping
Walmart is investing in original streaming entertainment that will include “shoppable” ads for viewers. The move, likely to be followed by other retailers and possibly content providers, means viewers don’t have to be thinking about shopping to make purchases. Three reasons why this makes sense. → Read More
Kohl’s, Amazon And The Cycle Of Returns: 4 Ways To Manage A Monster
It’s a case of foot traffic beating road traffic. By expanding its agreement to receive returns from Amazon.com, Kohl’s is helping resolve what most online merchants are grappling with today: An investment in returns that is becoming too big, and bulky, to accept. 2018 Bloomberg Finance LP The two merchants announced in late April that Kohl’s would begin taking Amazon returns at all of its 1,200… → Read More
Kohl's, Amazon And The Cycle Of Returns: 4 Ways To Manage A Monster
Kohl’s agreement to accept Amazon returns at all of its stores presents obvious upsides for the brick-and-mortar chain, notably foot traffic. But it also helps relieve Amazon of an increasingly cumbersome, and expensive, issue. How online retail is trying to get its arms around returns. → Read More
What Retail Apocalypse? 4 Ways Amazon, Samsung, Walgreens And Others Are Preparing For 2026
photocredit: © 2015 Bloomberg Finance LP What does a “retail apocalypse” look like? If the predictions are correct, about 145 Malls of America. That’s how many combined stores are projected to close between now and 2026 — 75,000, according to Coresight Research. The advisory firm counts 5,994 announced shutterings just in 2019 so far, beating all of 2018. That much retail real estate, if equated… → Read More
Why Can’t Amazon Convert Prime Shoppers Into Whole Foods Shoppers?
If one were to place Amazon Prime and Whole Foods shoppers into a Venn Diagram, the two circles would best be represented by an apple and an orange. And the overlap slice is not nearly as big as Amazon would like. photo: Bloomberg Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon has pursued its plan to expand into grocery, and an important element of that plan is converting Prime Members into Whole… → Read More
Final Four Of Mass Retail: The Battle Of Walmart, Kroger, Amazon And Target
photocredit: Getty If this year’s Final Four tournament involved mass merchant retailers instead of college basketball teams, my bracket would look like this: Walmart, Kroger, Target and Amazon. In the tournament for retail dominance, these four are battling it out in grocery, apparel, beauty and home, and in many ways with skills similar to those of promising basketball players. There’s speed,… → Read More
Why Can't Amazon Convert Prime Shoppers Into Whole Foods Shoppers?
Most of Whole Foods shoppers are likely to be Amazon shoppers and even Prime Members, but how many of Amazon’s 100 million U.S. members regularly shop at Whole Foods? Fewer than 20%, despite Amazon’s ongoing efforts. Here’s why. → Read More
Springing For Purchases: 8 Ways Warm Weather Encourages Shopping — And Where
Never underestimate the purchasing influence of a daffodil. As consumers emerge from their month’s-long hibernation, jostled out of their comfort-food stupors by late-day sunlight and early morning bird song, they rediscover not only the deep-rooted need to be out of doors among the flowers, but also the complementary urge to throw money at that need. There’s the typical stuff we buy — sandals,… → Read More
Will Consumers Rent Home Furnishings? Ikea and Rent The Runway Think So.
Welcome to retail 2019, when no sale is ever final. From monthly rentals to circular product swapping, more retailers are catering the whims of shoppers who are inclined to invest in what they fantasize their homes and lives to be for occasions, but not for-ever. Rent The Runway spotlighted this purchasing proclivity with its recent expansion into reusable home furnishings through a partnership… → Read More
The Real Victims of Amazon’s New Grocery Stores? Nabisco, Kraft And P&G
The Real Victims of Amazon’s New Grocery Stores? Nabisco, Kraft And P&G The Jolly Green Giant, Tony the Tiger and the Keebler Elves have co-existed harmoniously in groceries, superstores and warehouse clubs for generations. But they may not survive the Amazon. If Amazon opens a chain of grocery stores, as The Wall Street Journal reported, the most vulnerable competitors won’t be Kroger,… → Read More
Pets rule the retail roost – RetailWire
Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the blog of LoyaltyOne. The article first appeared on Forbes.com. Pets are wrestling control over larger parts of household budgets, along with owners’ hearts, as demonstrated by Valentine’s Day. Owners were expected to spend $886 million this year on their pets for V-day, up from $519 million… → Read More
Will Walmart’s “Hello” to Baby Deliver? 4 Grownup Lifestyle Changes It Reveals
Walmart doesn’t just want the last word in affordable-premium products; it wants the first word. And that word is “goo-goo.” With the aid of a celebrity partnership, Walmart is using its price-reducing scale to appeal to cost-conscious parents who do not want to scrimp on high value. The superstore chain has aligned with the likeable acting couple Kristen Bell (“The Good Place”) and Dax Shepard… → Read More
Will Walmart’s “Hello” to Baby Deliver? 4 Grownup Lifestyle Changes It Reveals
Walmart doesn’t just want the last word in affordable-premium products; it wants the first word. And that word is “goo-goo.” With the aid of a celebrity partnership, Walmart is using its price-reducing scale to appeal to cost-conscious parents who do not want to scrimp on high value. The superstore chain has aligned with the likeable acting couple Kristen Bell (“The Good Place”) and Dax Shepard… → Read More
Amazon's New Loyalty Program: 5 Ways Amazon Moments Will Change How You Shop
Amazon’s new loyalty offering, Amazon Moments, provides its vendors the back-end support to send shoppers tailored rewards for predetermined actions, including purchases. This should enable sellers to affordably increase sales. But what will shoppers gain? Here are five potential benefits. → Read More
Just In Time For Valentine’s Day: 10 Lovable Retail Stories From Starbucks, Alibaba And More
Just In Time For Valentine’s Day: 10 Lovable Retail Stories From Starbucks, Alibaba And More Products that improve our lives, small experiences that elevate our emotions, people we may know for years — these are all commonalities of retail we tend to take for granted. It’s easy, and typical, to get caught up in the everyday challenges and shortcomings of the industry, but every day a retailer is… → Read More