Stores Weekly

First Edition

Backers say cashierless checkout improves customer experience and brand perception

In a world of busy schedules, endless retail options and new technologies designed to make everything more convenient, today’s consumers have far less patience for lines than they did in the past. While retailers offer online ordering, in-store pickup and delivery to increase convenience, many are also looking to automated and mobile checkout to reduce lines.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/04/reducing-customers-biggest-pain-point/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content= to view the full article online.

Small, yet mighty

When the Nordstrom Local concept debuted two years ago, some folks scratched their heads. How could executives call it a store when they weren’t allocating inventory? How would they measure success? In September STORES’ Editor Susan Reda had the chance to visit the newly minted Nordstrom Local in New York’s West Village. Within minutes of crossing the threshold it all made sense. It’s a small footprint with a mighty mission.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/04/small-yet-mighty/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content= to view the full article online.

Retailers keep brand standards strong with clear and consistent communication

Like many Canadian retailers, Kitchen Stuff Plus complies with the Scanner Price Accuracy Code, a voluntary measure adopted by the Retail Council of Canada in 2002. If a customer notices a discrepancy between the shelf price and the price scanned by the point-of-sale system, compliant retailers will give the item to the customer at no cost or issue a coupon. As such, it’s important to ensure signs and marketing materials reflect accurate prices.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/05/aiming-for-accuracy/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=Kitchen%20Stuff%20Plus to view the full article online.

Talking Taco Bell’s hotel stunt with its director of retail engagement

In a social media age, retailers increasingly need to go far outside the box to attract needed attention. But just how far outside the box can a major retailer go and still stay within its own wheelhouse? It’s one thing for a retailer to open a pop-up store, but something else entirely to open a pop-up hotel.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/05/for-whom-the-bell-tolled/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=Taco%20Bell%20Hotel to view the full article online.

NRF is proud to provide our members with the online Retail Buying Guide to search for trusted vendors, products and services in the retail industry. Our guide is a user-friendly forum designed to bring suppliers and purchasers together. You can search by keyword, location, company name or category. Available whenever you need it, the Retail Buying Guide makes it easy to locate products and professional services geared to the retail industry. Click here to visit the online Retail Buying Guide! To advertise, please contact Sarah Allen for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrf-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=588580&issueID=64479 to view the full article online.

Trends

Ad-verse reactions

Doritos is trying to reach Generation Z consumers in a rather unique way — by eschewing any mention of its product. The company kicked off its new campaign on the MTV Video Music Awards, with a narrator announcing, “an ad with no logos, no jingles, no gimmicks, just those red and blue bags with the stuff you love in it.”

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/06/ad-verse-reactions/ to view the full article online.

Self-driving shuttle comes to New York City

Optimus Ride is launching a free autonomous shuttle service for those who work in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. While that may sound limited to a relatively small footprint, consider that more than 10,000 toil across the 300 acres.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/06/self-driving-shuttle-comes-to-new-york-city/ to view the full article online.

Screamin’ fruit and vegetables

Nicole Frankel was tired of fighting with her daughter about eating — or refusing to eat — fruits and vegetables. So, she whipped up a solution, combining fruits and vegetables with ice cream, that young Eleanor pronounced “yum, actually.”

Visit https://stores.org/2019/11/06/screamin-fruit-and-vegetables/ to view the full article online.

The digital edition of STORES includes must-read pieces, including the articles featured here. Read the current issue and browse the archives for issues you may have missed.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrf-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=588581&issueID=64479 to view the full article online.

NRF News

How Hawthorne sells men’s personal care to a ‘clueless’ consumer

Men's grooming brand Hawthorne uses technology to provide a personalized experience and cater to men who don’t know much about grooming products. CEO and co-founder Brian Jeong was interviewed on NRF’s Retail Gets Real podcast about the origins of the startup and why accessibility in the personal care sector of retail involves more than just lower prices.

Visit https://nrf.com/blog/how-hawthorne-sells-mens-personal-care-clueless-consumer?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Retail%20Gets%20Real&utm_content=Ep%20143%20Hawthorne to view the full article online.

Economic trends, not headlines, show the accurate picture

With lots of chatter and short-term fluctuations in economic data, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz says it is important to focus on long-term trends rather than daily headlines. Kleinhenz says consumer optimism remains high and “the economic engine is running” despite anxiety about the trade war and the ongoing political environment.

Visit https://nrf.com/research/monthly-economic-review-november-2019?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=MER&utm_content=November%20MER to view the full article online.

Hudson’s Bay Company CEO on having a global retail mindset

Hudson’s Bay Company CEO Helena Foulkes is responsible for HBC’s global strategy, oversees nearly 40,000 associates worldwide and has been named to Fortune’s list of the Most Powerful Women in Business. At NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show, Foulkes will discuss tackling new growth challenges and reimagining core customer strategies when operating on a global scale.

Visit https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/session/global-retail-mindset-bold-moves-leaders-fueling-future-growth?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=MER&utm_content=NRF2020%20Faulkes to view the full article online.

National Retail Federation