July 29, 2015

A Lot of Catching Up, in 3 Simple Steps

How digital solutions can reshape the retail environment, increasing consumer traffic and revenue.

We’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Consumers’ expectations of digital experiences at retail far exceed anything most retailers currently offer. While companies everywhere are racing to be the newest, coolest and most buzzworthy, it’s easy to lose sight of what consumers are actually looking for: relevancy. Consumers are choosing experiences that simplify...

July 29, 2015

Research Issue 19

Lessons of the Third Wave: The Urban Outfitters Story

If growth is easier to achieve online, why bother with new stores?

When the CFO of Urban Outfitters, Frank Conforti, talked to Wall Street analysts late last year, he took pains to point out the kind of fact retail executives often try to obscure: The direct-to-consumer channel was outperforming the company’s stores. Sales via web, mobile and mobile apps were going up, with positive gains at all...

July 29, 2015

Project Work Issue 19

Zensho

Creating a Western style grocery concept

Zensho of Japan recently acquired four local grocery chains, to diversify their portfolio of 25 restaurant brands. They wanted to develop an umbrella mass-market/value-brand that would rise above the sea of local grocery stores. They created a fresh, Western-inspired and more relevant concept that would elevate the customer experience. This was accomplished by creating a...

July 29, 2015

Readers' Poll Issue 19

Do you Feel Retailers are Violating Shopper Privacy by Tracking Them in Their Stores?

Many consumers are unaware that retailers are tracking them via facial recognition, cell phones and other invasive methods to follow different shopping habits. Companies collect this data and determine the optimal place for endcap displays and what products to advertise in each area of the store. Do you feel this is a violation of consumer...

July 29, 2015

What If... Issue 19

What If There Were No Check Out?

Wouldn’t that be glorious? No waiting in line to buy what you have already determined you want. None of the hassle of having to talk to a cashier that is making awkward small talk or trying to get you to enroll in their credit card program, or worse a cashier that doesn’t talk to you...