Category Archives: Mass Merchandiser

Shoppers prefer the STORE

Walmart is testing a grocery delivery service.  Shoppers can purchase a limited assortment of grocery products online and have them delivered to their door for a small fee.  Walmart is not the first player in the grocery delivery business but they definitely plan to follow their formula and become the biggest.
According to The New York [...]

Also posted in Grocery, Service Retail, Specialty Retail, Technology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When 31 Flavors is Just Too Much

Baskin Robbins offers 31 flavors.  Heinz had 57 varieties.  Starbucks has 87,000 drink combinations.  Walmart averages 100,000 products.  Cold Stone Creamery boasts 11.5 million “ways to customize your ice cream treat.”
Most retailers believe that more is better because customers want choice.  However the work of researchers Sheena Iyengar and Kanika Agrawal suggest the exact opposite.  [...]

Also posted in Activation at Retail, Grocery, Retail Banking, Retail Design, Retail Research | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Men Don’t Shop. Period.

We all have actual experiences that help us buy into this stereotype about men.  Most women have been to the store with a man — spouse, parent, brother or friend — who was annoyed at the idea of walking aimlessly around a mall or Walmart.  As a man, you may even feel a twinge of [...]

Also posted in Activation at Retail, Grocery, Retail Research, Retail/Market Trends | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Can Supermarket Retailers Improve Sales Margins and Brand Perceptions

Occassionally Inside the Aisle will feature guest postings by industry insiders who offer insightful perspective on a variety of topics important to retailers.  This week, David Merrefield shares his perspective on food retailing and how grocers might use new tools to meet their objectives.
Retailing in general and food retailing in particular is in a strange [...]

Also posted in Activation at Retail, Grocery, Retail/Market Trends | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Healthcare Reform: Threat and Opportunity for Retail

No matter where you stand on health-care reform, everyone agrees this examination of the system and some version of reform is necessary.  For retailers, health-care, how to provide it and manage costs, has long been an important consideration. Shandra Martinez wrote a significant piece for The Grand Rapids Press, detailing the health-care conundrum for retail [...]

Also posted in Drug Stores, Grocery, Retail/Market Trends | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment
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