The most valuable technology-based power a business could hope for is one that would inspire its customers to willingly perform tasks that were previously done by its employees. Although many consumer-facing businesses have been able to accomplish just that, retailing […]
Why Shoppers Won’t Do Supermarket’s Work Read More »
Just like the original “Pacman” of the earliest video games, chomping through all of the pac-dots to victory, Amazon appears to be rapidly chomping its way to becoming the biggest store on earth by taking on every product and service
Amazon…From Earth’s Biggest Bookstore To The Biggest Store on Earth? Read More »
It’s a good thing for Martha (to use one of her signature phrases). It’s a good thing for JC Penney. And it’s a good thing for Macy’s, which I’ll get to in a minute. I’m writing, of course, about JC
It’s a Good Thing: Martha + JCPenney Read More »
The secret to the success of most businesses can be found in the wisdom of one of the most successful retailers of all time — the legendary Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds. He described his business and its success several
The Secret is in the Data: Delivering What Customers Need & Desire Read More »
On Black Friday morning I wasn’t feeling well, so cancelled my plans for the rest of the day, and went back to bed. When I turned on the TV, nothing happened. Sick as I was, I needed a working television.
Customer Service Makes Best Buy a Better Buy Read More »
I was among the very first, if not the first, some thirty years ago, to declare the demise of the department stores. And, indeed, their share of market, particularly in apparel, has steadily declined during those years, lost to the
Macy\’s: The Biggest and Last Department Store Standing? Or an Emerging New Model? Read More »
Luxury fashion flash sale phenomenon Gilt Groupe has only been in existence for four years, but already has annual sales of over $500 million and a valuation of a billion dollars. We spent an hour recently with CEO and Founder
Q&A With Gilt Groupe CEO and Founder Kevin Ryan Read More »
Just this once, I’ve decided to look on the brighter side…..but only briefly. Bubbles can be very positive and fun. And, I’m not talking about an old girl friend. The bubbles (lower case b) I’m talking about are those serendipitous
Bubbles and Kicking the Can Down the Road Read More »
I’m a leading edge Baby Boomer, born at a time when life was simple and filled with optimism and possibilities. Now, that time is past and the world around us has changed. And, of course, we are getting older. We
Confessions of an Aging Baby Boomer Read More »
To say that major changes are afoot at J.C. Penney would be an understatement. In June, the company announced that Ron Johnson, head of retail at Apple, would take over the helm of the $20 billion department store chain when
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Q&A With JCPenney CEO Mike Ullman Read More »
