Kroger vs. Walmart: The War Grocery Didn’t Anticipate
The grocery industry has spent three years watching Kroger struggle through a failed merger, a leadership crisis, a botched automation strategy, and the slow erosion of its competitive position relative to Walmart. What grocery is watching now is something different: a company that has made a clear-eyed bet that the best way to compete with Walmart is to hire the person who knows Walmart best.
The Latest Retail Industry Insights and Analysis
Allbirds: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week, 01. 04. 26
By starting out being worth $4 billion. Allbirds, the DTC footwear brand that hit the market 11 years ago with
Yeti Takes a Long View to Protect Its Brand
Join Shelley and Bill Neff, Head of Marketing at Yeti, as they pull back the curtain on why one of
American Girl Revamp Proves Dolls Are Still Controversial
Wealthy children could have an unparalleled immersive retail experience with historical relevance and a matching doll to take home and
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Retail Unwrapped
Our weekly podcast with Shelley E. Kohan, & guests. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
Experience
American Girl Revamp Proves Dolls Are Still Controversial
Wealthy children could have an unparalleled immersive retail experience with historical relevance and a matching doll to take home and
Sydney Sweeney’s SYRN: Unsustainable
Sweeney is a divisive public figure, to say the least. A celebrity-driven brand lives and dies by its appeal. For
Spoiler Alert: The Ultra Rich Are Pennywise and Pound Foolish
Marketing to the Ultra-High Net Worth is a much tougher challenge than marketing with and perhaps through them. The retail
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Opinion
Retailers Should Be Wary of Trade School Grads
There is a disturbing disconnect between the classroom and performance on a retail sales floor. This is an industry-wide problem.
Retail in 2026 Faces Political Headwinds — But Not a Freefall
If I were sitting in the CEO chair at a major retailer — whether a mass merchant like Macy’s or
Retailers Should Be Wary of Trade School Grads
There is a disturbing disconnect between the classroom and performance on a retail sales floor. This is an industry-wide problem.
Retail in 2026 Faces Political Headwinds — But Not a Freefall
If I were sitting in the CEO chair at a major retailer — whether a mass merchant like Macy’s or
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The Retail Unwrapped Podcast
Retail insights on-the-go, with Shelley E. Kohan. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
From Our Partners
Placer’s 10 Brands to Watch + 3 Surprises
Check out Placer.ai’s latest enlightening report on the 10 Top Brands to Watch in 2025 when it comes to retail
How LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat Are Crushing Consumer Engagement
Watch and learn LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat are building engagement and social media strategies that matter to today’s younger consumer.
Technology
Can Retail Careers Survive AI?
The future of retail work will not be defined by whether humans or machines dominate. It will be defined by
There’s an AI Encouragement Gap
Early data on gender disparities in workforce AI training and encouragement show that the workplace of the future might be
Think You’re in Control Shopping for Groceries? Wrong!
Every scan of your card, every clipped coupon, every “substitute” you accept when something’s out of stock is recorded. You’re
Management
Tim Baxter: Insights from a Retail Visionary
Reimagining the retail model has often been a fool’s errand, constrained by resources and lack of imagination. Short-term goals often
Chip Wilson: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week, 3.14.26
Chip Wilson is an ex-retailer, ever since he sold and then gave up control of the company he founded, Lululemon.
Operations
Lowe’s: The Robin Report Retail Hit of the Week, 03. 28. 2026
With the home improvement sector continuing in the doldrums as the housing market remains dismal, give Lowe’s a big Hit
Shokay and the Yak: Farm-to-Fashion
By investing in a regenerative farm-to-fashion supply chain, brands elevate their value proposition in ways that are both socially and
A Store Is a Strategic Engine
Operationally rigorous retail is harder to replicate than it appears. It requires clear strategic priorities, disciplined assortment planning, and investment