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Trader Joe’s on Why It’s Just Not That Into Ecommerce

| Mike O'Brien

Trader Joe’s, the distinctive small-scale-yet-nationwide grocery chain that feels more like a Starbuck’s without the pricey coffee and wifi, has thus far resisted the market pressure to follow the rest of its industry brethren into ecommerce, and explained its rationale in a podcast episode. Hint: it has to do with fulfillment and supply chain costs hitting prices, and maintaining the experience.

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How Grocery Can Survive Uberization

| Madeline Aufseeser

Perhaps the biggest competitive advantages delivery services have over traditional grocery is sourcing and convenience. So, what can traditional grocers do to stop their lunch being eaten? Continue to innovate your channels with products, services and tools that help customers get the most from their in-store experiences.

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Sephora Launches Unlimited Same-Day Delivery Subscription

| Mike O'Brien

Beauty retailer Sephora is upping its convenience game, launching an unlimited same-day delivery subscription for $49 per year, through its website or the Sephora app, a service not offered by main rival Ulta Beauty, which charges $9.95 per delivery without the app option. The program has no minimum and there is a 30-day free trial.

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Walmart Marketplace: How Your Brand Can Win

| Nathan Rigby

A new marketplace creates opportunity, and you should develop a specific strategy for the Walmart marketplace. You should also measure the success of each campaign to determine what elements need optimization and the most effective ways to reach customers. Here are 3 ways to strategize for sales on Walmart.com.

curbside pickup sign omnichannel

The Future of BOPIS After COVID-19

| Michael Jaszczyk

Those who have embraced omnichannel retailing by allowing customers to do everything from browsing to payment on their personal device have found it much easier to adapt with tactics like BOPIS to ensure the safety and health of employees and shoppers. The current crisis will serve as a catalyst for long-term process changes.

Ulta Beauty Has Strong Q4 Online, Responds to Coronavirus Threat

| Mike O'Brien

Ulta Beauty saw ecommerce sales increase 20% to 30% during fiscal 2019 ending Feb. 1, 2020, aided by a store pickup rollout chain-wide, while also taking steps in store to address the growing coronavirus threat. Ulta also reduced hours of operation, is temporary closing some stores and discontinuing hair services in stores.

Target Reports 34% Growth in Ecommerce, Blows Out Projections

| Mike O'Brien

Target reported strong Q2 performance, with 34% growth in ecommerce sales, nearly 75% of which was attributable to its same-day order fulfillment strategy including buy online pickup in store, curbside pickup and local delivery. The retailer beat expectations on earnings, comp growth and revenue, and raised 2019 guidance.

Stein Mart Looks to Amazon Lockers, Other Initiatives to Boost Sales

| Mike O'Brien

Stein Mart has become the latest retailer to partner with Amazon, betting that increased traffic to the ecommerce giant’s lockers in the back of its stores for order pickup and returns will translate to sales for the struggling discount chain. The lockers will be located in about 200 of Stein Mart’s 283 stores by early June.