Author Archives: Len Lewis
Sounding Board: Betting on the sandwich
The sandwich, along with a creative promotional program, can generate significant incremental revenue from multiple departments within a store. As James Beard, author, chef … Continue reading
Posted in 2013 05 Article Archives, Columns
Serve… and Protect
So, this guy walks into a supermarket…! Sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it? Only this time it’s deadly serious—or could have … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: A closer look at “Obamacare”
As the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act approaches, retailers are going to have to make some tough decisions. By this … Continue reading
Posted in 2013 04 Article Archives, Columns
Still Making it in America
I’ve been wondering lately, when exactly did the term “Made in America” become obsolete? Contrary to some opinions, it hasn’t. In fact, American made … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: Consulting the stars
Should retailers look toward astrology when making business decisions? In this economic climate, why not? “When the moon is in the Seventh House And … Continue reading
Posted in 2013 03 Article Archives, Columns
Investing in food
If you’re wondering where the next crop of entrepreneurs, or in this case eater-preneurs, is being grown for the food industry, you might want … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: The FDA’s watchful eye
The FDA now has teeth and if retailers are not careful, they might just get bit. It is that time of year when the … Continue reading
Posted in 2013 02 Article Archives, Columns
Sounding Board: The numbers game
Both presidential campaigns were driven by data. What can retailers take away from this past election? November 6, 2012 will go down as a … Continue reading
Posted in 2013 01 Article Archives
Sounding Board: A new dimension to grocery shopping
“Virtual” grocery aisles are popping up in train stations, airports and other venues. While it is mostly an international trend so far, are U.S. … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 12 Article Archives, Columns
Retailers Ought to be Optimistic but Cautious
I’ve just come off an hour-long webinar extolling the virtues of the recovering economy and the outlook for 2013—a financial lovefest that also focused … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: Basic Training
While many retailers use the end-of-year period to refocus their businesses, what does “back to basics” really mean? How many times over the years … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 11 Article Archives, Columns
Pitfalls of mobile payment
Imagine you’re shopping the aisles of your local supermarket and you pass a guy using his mobile phone. A common sight, right? But this … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: Letting go
Sometimes the best way to turn around a retail operation is to demolish it to make room for something better. There is finally proof … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 10 Article Archives, Columns
Sounding Board: Negative press
Supervalu has plenty of company in other industries as it struggles to prop up its brand in the wake of bad news. At a … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 09 Article Archives, Columns
Sounding Board: The universal language of medicine
The pharmacy offers a great opportunity for retailers to attract—and interact with—a diverse customer base. Walk the aisles of any store these days and … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 08 Article Archives, Columns
The Panama Canal Expansion
I want you to keep one particular year in mind—2014! Given the state of the economy here and abroad it may be difficult for … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: Greasing the wheels of commerce
While corruption in Mexico has dominated the news lately, it happens all over. How big a deal is a little bribery anyway? There. I … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
All The President’s Foods
Do politicians’ eating habits influence the products in the supermarket aisles? Now that we have officially entered the presidential campaign season, it is time … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 06 Article Archives, Columns
Don’t Hold the Mayo
Everybody’s always looking for that teachable moment—especially when it comes to consumers. But one place that seems to have been overlooked, or at least … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs
Untapped Potential
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Wine consumption by Hispanic consumers soars, but marketing has to catch up. Imagine you’re a retailer ignoring 25% of your customers! Sound outlandish … Continue reading
Posted in Center Store, Uncategorized, Web-Exclusive Content
The First Family of wine
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Draeger’s has been in the wine business for nearly 90 years and remains a top shop for everyone from everyday consumers and oenophiles to … Continue reading
Posted in Center Store, Web-Exclusive Content
Finding great wines close to home
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Fresh & Easy ramps up wine sales by expanding its offerings of wines from California vintners. Continue reading
Posted in Center Store, Web-Exclusive Content
Sounding Board: Do these trends have legs?
Retailers need to sift through a lot of fly-by-night offerings to find ones that will bring in business. There are just some food trends … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 05 Article Archives, Columns
Sounding Board: Using technology to ring the till
Innovative applications can engage consumers, but will they buy? Are you as bored as I am with all the chatter about the technological revolution … Continue reading
Posted in 2012 04 Article Archives, Columns
Relying on Reliable
You know, you just can’t please some people! The term “retail experience” often tops the list of industry issues and those in the know … Continue reading
Posted in Blogs, Web-Exclusive Content
