Data & Analytics

According to a 2015 Nielsen study, two-thirds of consumers trust consumer opinions over company advertising and rely on peer review sites for insights and advice. However, these sites can cause huge headaches for well-intentioned retailers that incentivize consumers to post glowing reviews or find themselves on the wrong side of a revenge or competitor-sponsored post. When not conducted correctly, these efforts can harm brands and further consumer mistrust.   

On a wind farm near McAllen, Texas, with windmills that stand taller from tip to base than the Statue of Liberty, Home Depot is harvesting enough electricity to power 100 Home Depot stores.   The juice is flowing because of the Atlanta-based retailer’s deal with EDP Renewables North America, a deal that marks Home Depot’s first major investment in a wind-powered renewable energy project. The company says that in addition to supplying power to 100 stores, the deal provides $150,000 in local community benefits.  

Will A. Smith has joined Abercrombie & Fitch Co. as chief marketing officer.   Smith, who will report to president and chief merchandising officer Fran Horowitz, will be responsible for all brand, creative and digital marketing across the chain.   

Amazon’s packing processes are about to get even faster.   The retail giant has been issued a patent for a robot that can pack orders, potentially speeding up the fulfillment process, according to NBC News.   

Phillips Edison, a major player in grocery-anchored centers with more than 270 properties across the U.S., has announced three key senior management promotions. 

Eric Richte

Starbucks is further evolving its digital customer experience.    Staring Monday, Jan. 30, Starbucks is launching a beta test for a voice messaging service that enables guests to place and pre-pay for their food and beverage orders “on command” via the Starbucks mobile iOS app and the Amazon Alexa platform. The new “My Starbucks barista” feature is an extension of Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay service, which allows customers to order and pay for their items before arriving at their store.  

In an era when gamers want new releases in their hands as quickly as possible, GameStop is changing the rules.   The gaming retailer calls its updated strategy a “new moment of truth.” Described as the gap between when a consumer purchases merchandise and actually receives it, this timing can truly make or break the chain’s reputation going forward — especially as digital retailing increases customer expectations.  

Every year, 30,000 retail industry professionals descend on Manhattan for the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show.    It’s a once-a-year opportunity to take the pulse of one of our most familiar industries. Amazon conspicuously abstains from the event, but it is nonetheless the focus of many conversations, distracting some retailers from the real opportunity: innovations in customer experience. Thankfully, this year a healthy shift seems to have begun.  

A retail veteran is leaving Brooks Brothers to join Destination XL Group.   The men’s specialty apparel retailer has named Sahal Laher as its senior VP, chief digital and information officer, effective Monday, Jan. 30.   Laher, Brooks Brothers’ former executive VP of digital innovation and technology and global CIO, will be the principal architect and leader of DXL’s digital commerce strategies and IT/MIS operations. Laher will also be a member of the company’s executive committee.

Neil Saunders, CEO of retail research and consulting firm Conlumino, comments on Starbucks’ first quarter results in the remarks below.