OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Supermarket Trends: Technology, food safety and sustainability are top of mind
The supermarket industry is constantly changing. Consumer food choices and how they shop, frequent regulation modifications and new technologies to integrate are just a few things we gathered from recent customer input concerning the most pressing issues for the industry. As 2017 rolls along, there are four emerging trends we see that grocery marketers should be aware of for the remainder of the year. 1. Impact of the digitally engaged food shopper on retail facilities
Expert Analysis: Target’s new next-day delivery program faces some challenges
Greg Portell, lead partner in the retail practice of global strategy and management consultant A.T. Kearney, discusses Target’s plan to test next-day delivery of online orders of household essentials. The new service, called Target Restock, is open to shoppers of the chain’s REDcard loyalty program. What influenced Target’s decision to launch the program?

Retailers in big push to uphold debit swipe fee reform
Target to test next-day delivery service

Target is planning to test a next-day delivery of essentials ordered online in the Minneapolis area. Called Target Restock, the service will pilot this summer in the discounter’s hometown. Once the pilot is live, shoppers who have a Target REDcard will be eligible to visit a dedicated online experience to access thousands of household essentials.
Global Retail: Classifying workers as employees vs. independent contractors
Walmart debuts new financing plans

The nation’s largest retailer is introducing special financing for its credit cards that comes with an appealing hook. The new offer provides no-interest financing plans for the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Mastercard Credit Card, with plans extending across either six months or 12 months on purchases. Similar to most plans, customers don’t pay any interest during the promotional period. But the Walmart offer is different from most others in that the interest also does not accrue during the promotional period.
NRF: Retail jobs on the increase in April

The retail industry had some good news on the job front in April.
Report: Amazon steps up distribution network in India

Amazon is making new moves to support its expanding business in India. Specifically, the online giant is adding seven new warehouses — a move that will provide employment to about 4,000 people, according to The Times of India. Further, the company is planning to have 41 warehouses or fulfillment centers open by the end of June this year, the report said.
Department store retailer ends tux rental partnership

It seems the party is over between Macy’s and Tailored Brands’ Men’s Wearhouse.
The Future is Unified — and You Should Be Too

Customer experience is everything. In fact, Accenture found that 45% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. It’s also what gets customers into the physical store. With more consumers turning to the ease of online ordering and straight-to-door shipping, retailers are in a bigger crunch than ever before to not only increase footfall, but to keep customers coming back. So what can retailers do to turn first time visitors into loyal customers? Get unified.