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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Do companies face an ethical dilemma making a profit and chasing sales during crisis times? Are fashionable face masks, coronavirus-themed t-shirts, et al a merchandising opportunity that has more upside or downside for retailers? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : My daughter is making very stylish masks but is giving them away to friends and family and anyone else that may need one. This is something that individuals Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Do you think more supermarkets will convert to pickup and delivery-only operations in an effort to protect associates and customers?  Is it possible for grocery stores to operate like this at scale and how might they mitigate any negative effects of closing stores to customers? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Retailers must insist that all customers wear masks and gloves and anyone found not following guidelines including Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Will virtual conferences be a temporary solution addressing current realities or permanently replace many in-person events? What do you see as the keys to producing successful virtual conferences? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : When we get back to what may look like normal, there will be a mix of regular trade shows and virtual ones. When we feel more comfortable, most of us will be anxious to Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Will growth for DTC start-ups in the CPG space likely accelerate due to the pandemic? Do you think the way new brands will be brought to the grocery channel will change significantly post-COVID-19? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : The answer is yes. CPG brands will continue to accelerate. Those in the natural/organic space must make the move online to survive and, hopefully, thrive. So will non-traditional brands Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Do you expect a major shift to remote working as a result of COVID-19? How will this affect retailing and consumer brand organizations? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Michael, I am firmly of the belief that the work day is even more productive when working remotely with everyone on my staff. We have a stand up meeting every morning and is kept to 30 minutes giving each Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Will wait-listing new customers and converting Whole Foods locations to online fulfillment centers allow Amazon to get on top of its e-grocery demands? What do you think the online grocery shopping landscape will look like when the dust settles? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : The Bryant Park store makes the most sense as it is located right on 6th Avenue alongside mostly offices. That does not mean Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How have consumer expectations for brands been altered by the coronavirus pandemic? Do you agree with Mr. Edelman that a brand’s mission is, among other things, to “solve problems for all, protect all, care for all, collaborate with all and innovate in the public interest”? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : The CEO of Pepsi was on MSNBC yesterday morning along with Lady Gaga and the CEO of Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Is Amazon facing a make-or-break period based on how it executes amid the pandemic? What will define the company’s success? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : Given what retailers and their frontline workers have been going through and will for some time, they should suspend many of the promotions and use the extra margin to pay their employees a bonus! Employees are truly putting their lives on the Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How have consumer expectations for brands been altered by the coronavirus pandemic? Do you agree with Mr. Edelman that a brand’s mission is, among other things, to “solve problems for all, protect all, care for all, collaborate with all and innovate in the public interest”? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : The CEO of Pepsi was on MSNBC yesterday morning along with Lady Gaga and the CEO of Read more…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Is Amazon facing a make-or-break period based on how it executes amid the pandemic? What will define the company’s success? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust : As some parents would say to their kids,”suck it up” Amazon. This is what happens when you are the biggest and most powerful company in retail. You have to take the good with the bad and yes, the world is watching and Read more…