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 Is there a new wave of selfish shoppers shopping for themselves after the holidays? Are retailers wise to peg promotions to the concept of the selfish shopper or are they diluting potential profits? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : I don’t think they are diluting potential profits as some shoppers may be reluctant to buy for themselves, especially after spending so much on others without having a promotional or discounted Read more…

Are there more pros than cons in expanding open-container drinking at shopping centers? If successful, should access be expanded to enclosed malls and other retail channels with some restrictions? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Well clearly it will help loosen up shoppers and should help retailers ring up more sales but it is a slippery slope. It is true that drinking is allowed in other “family friendly” areas like Read more…

Which companies would be on your list of candidates to earn the distinction of top retailer of the year for 2019? What retailers are you expecting big things from in 2020? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : I say Nordstrom for their bold moves into NYC the past few years. Time will tell as many analysts thought the Nordstrom family was crazy to open new department stores when so many Read more…

Do you predict that return rates will continue to climb in the years ahead? Is a high return rate the inevitable cost of doing business online — and worth it? What solutions best mitigate the inherent costs? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Yes, return rates are out of control and will get worse unless the industry makes it a little more painful for the consumer which many will shy Read more…

How important is it to retain startup founders, co-founders and other key personnel after an acquisition, and for how long? What’s the key to retaining employees that have become accustomed to a more entrepreneurial structure? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Unfortunately, this remains true in so many cases, and yes, I also have personal experience in this situation. Those who acquire and those that are acquired must find a Read more…

How will the joint procurement deal between Kroger and Walgreens benefit the two companies, and what will it mean for competition? What other types of retailers do you expect might join the Retail Procurement Alliance? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Good news for Kroger and Walgreens. Not so good for their suppliers. I understand that they need to partner to compete with Walmart which makes sense, but it will Read more…

What do you think retailers can learn from the success of Haford Hardware’s 2019 Christmas commercial? Should family-owned retail businesses in the U.S. try to work the same magic as Haford Hardware? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : The magic of kids/family, good music and a simple idea brings it home in this spot. It proves that you don’t need expensive productions of reindeer with their noses lighting up in Read more…

When should a retailer hold true to their brand vs. adapting to the local market? Do you think some localization is always required? If so, how much? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Yes and no. Look at what the folks from Fixer Upper have accomplished with their Magnolia brand. It is local and national at the same time. They remain true to their brand while also creating a destination Read more…

What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges facing retailers like Kroger that are experimenting with dark kitchens for home food delivery? What will determine the eventual success or failure of Kroger’s dark kitchen pilot? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Seems like a winning idea and the shared facilities makes it more economical to operate. I think the time frame sounds somewhat unrealistic but if the delivery Read more…