Category Archives: Blogs

Even when they aren’t paying to dine among celebrities at one of his Spago restaurants, Chef Wolfgang Puck doesn’t want customers to be disappointed … Continue reading →

It’s not easy churning out these Pulitizer Prize-worthy monthly category feature articles. Much research is involved. I usually start by checking out the store … Continue reading →

Last weekend I flew out to San Francisco to run my first half marathon. Having no idea what to expect, I followed my running … Continue reading →

With the holiday season fast approaching, every retailer knows what time it is-time to start seasonal hiring. But be careful what you get. With … Continue reading →

For many of you, Hurricane Irene is all but a distant memory, but for others, especially those in the Northeast (myself included), the flooding … Continue reading →

I have an old college friend who would almost qualify for the show Extreme Couponing.  He searches for coupons far and wide—newspapers, websites, you … Continue reading →

The recent announcement of post office closings can open up a window of opportunity for supermarkets. According to news reports, the U.S. Postal Service … Continue reading →

When designing new stores retailers should listen to their customers. I was shopping in the A&P a few Sundays ago when I overheard a … Continue reading →

When we were kids, if my brother and I were served an unusual meal for dinner the running joke was “mom must have had … Continue reading →

Everybody likes crime stories. It seems to be one of our obsessions or perhaps one of our guilty pleasures-whether it’s about the Irish mobs … Continue reading →

Those funny little squares that look like Rorschach tests (QR codes) have been struggling to find a purpose for while. They have a lot to … Continue reading →

Often when I am interviewing manufacturers and marketers about the most successful way to get new products noticed sampling comes up. Offering consumers a … Continue reading →

    Early yesterday evening I made a trek to my local CVS, lured in by the big sale that was advertised in Sunday’s … Continue reading →

Seems like it’s time once again to play one of the industry’s favorite game shows-”When Will Tesco Leave?” To some, the final nail in … Continue reading →

  As influential leaders of industry, most of you are all too aware of the havoc irresponsible corporations can wreak on the environment. For … Continue reading →

I am always on the go. As a result, the majority of my food shopping is done “on the way home” from work, errands, … Continue reading →

According to the 2010 NRF ORC (Organized Retail Crime) Survey, 89% of retailers said they have been victimized by organized retail crime and 59% … Continue reading →

  About a month ago I picked up the Sunday Target circular and saw a lof of hot deals, including OptiFree Express contact lense … Continue reading →

Chris Coborn could not have been more appreciative. The CEO of Coborn’s, a St. Cloud, Minn.-based grocery retailer, had just received the 2011 Grocery … Continue reading →

I recently had an interesting conversation with Patricia Chuey regarding the future of wellness programs in grocery. As a registered dietitian, a good part … Continue reading →

  If you’re like me and millions of others, you’ve been watching with awe, shock and profound sadness the events unfolding in Japan in … Continue reading →

  Ireland: a country known for its beer, whiskey, potatoes and… retail display accent LED lighting??   It is so.   Two weeks ago … Continue reading →

  Industry experts estimate that nearly $200 billion is spent annually on trade promotion activity. Grocers and suppliers have long struggled to develop collaborative … Continue reading →

    A few weeks before Christmas while shopping in Sears I had the foresight to purchase a new snow shovel. It was the … Continue reading →

Like most editors, by February my desk is filled with reports from leading marketing firms, all of whom have their own spin on what … Continue reading →