What common practices on selling floors lead associates towards hypnotic-like states? What suggestions would you add for keeping the job fresh for store associates? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: I would engage store associates to learn about aspects of retail they may not even be aware of. Things like the supply chain — where … Continue reading Have retail store associates fallen into a hypnotic state?
In your experience are Millennials a particularly brand-loyal generation? What do you see as the keys for retailers seeking to attract and retain Millennial customers? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: As stated, service and quality of product and, yes, price — especially for those that are now parents. Prior to becoming a parent, Millennials … Continue reading Millennial brand loyalty comes into question
Do you see IKEA’s shift to smaller, city-center stores and heightened focus on online delivery as smart moves? What should the company retain from the traditional IKEA business model? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Getting closer to where the typical consumer of IKEA products live makes sense. Having rooms set up to see how … Continue reading Will a radical transformation lift or sink IKEA?
What can CVS do to differentiate its health services concept from Walgreens’ new concept and vice versa? Do you think CVS would be better served separating its new health services concept into a distinct format while operating its drugstore format separately? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: If CVS could pull off doing this in … Continue reading CVS’ new concept is about the health of its customers
How big a concern are latent biases embedded in artificial technology? Are retailers using artificial intelligence equipped to uncover and fix these biases? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Garbage in — garbage out. If the data the algorithm is being trained on is not somehow scrutinized or scrubbed, it will likely be based on … Continue reading What if artificial intelligence is biased?
What do you see as the primary factors influencing people who choose to eat organic vs. conventionally produced foods? Will the publicity around this new research study add to the momentum of organic food sales in the U.S.? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: It is only a matter of time before people will realize … Continue reading Will organic food sales soar on the latest cancer research?
How will Gen Z workers be different from Millennials as they reach retail selling floors and corporate offices? What adjustments may management have to make to connect with and motivate this generation as employees? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: The most critical factor will be their social skills, especially if placed on the floor … Continue reading How should retail employers prepare for Gen Z workers?
Why do you think small CPG brands are doing so well in today’s shopping landscape? What will this mean for larger CPGs going forward? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Some have commented that it is a good thing that big CPG has acquired the smaller brands because they will show them the ropes and … Continue reading Why haven’t CPG giants figured out what makes small brands so popular?
Is the new Choice Market concept in line with the needs of today’s consumers or a too far ahead of its time to take hold? What features of the concept do you think will become commonplace within the convenience channel in the years ahead? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Paying via app is here … Continue reading New c-store concept is high-tech inside and out
What’s the likelihood that cannabis-infused food and beverages will be widely stocked in grocery stores within the next five years? Beyond the regulatory statutes, what other factors might influence a retailer’s decision to stock the products? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: I recently attended Expo East, the Natural Products trade show in Baltimore. Even … Continue reading Cannabis-infused drink and food makers are high on grocery opportunities
