How will Whole Foods’ new program requiring vendors to help pay for shelf space, displays and in-store sampling affect its business? What will it mean for rivals and for its vendor relationships? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: This is so not what Whole Foods should stand for. It seems Read more…
Should retailers be considering concepts and real estate investments that will build them into the fabric of the new walkable suburb? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Yes, they should be. My son and daughter-in-law just bought into an area like this in the Washington D.C. suburbs to get have Read more…
How can retailers do more to reduce the amount of cardboard boxes and packaging that comes with online sales growth? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: First, those among us who order online must be the ones that take charge of this. It cannot be the responsibility of the shipper Read more…
Do you think a Target acquisition would make sense for Amazon? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: I think it does make sense, especially in light of yesterday’s discussion on Walmart targeting a higher demographic. Amazon with Target will deliver that goal much more effectively than Walmart can, at least Read more…
Is it more important at this point for Amazon and Google to get their smart speaker devices into households than to earn a decent margin? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Yes, it is way more important as they will be the gateway and gatekeeper for a significant amount of Read more…
What do you think drove the apparent healthy holiday gains this holiday season? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: A few things were big factors this year. A long weekend allowed last-minute shoppers like me the opportunity to pick up a few more things. I think this was the case Read more…
Do you see much consumer demand for mobile ordering for pickup or delivery from c-stores? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: If it is working with Starbucks and Panera, why not 7-Eleven? So much of 7-Eleven store traffic is about making a fast stop. If this makes it even faster, Read more…
Do you think a merged CVS/Aetna organization could use data and analytics to improve health service and product recommendations and reduce medical costs? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: As some would conclude, $77 billion has to be made back before they make money so I’m guessing prices may not Read more…
Do you expect department stores, as a whole, will perform better this holiday season than they did in 2016? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: As we all know, New York City is not indicative of the rest of the country but I walked into Macy’s and could not wait Read more…
Which do you think does a better job of connecting with each company’s core customers while reaching out to new shoppers? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: They are both very well done, but I would say the Amazon commercial is more effective at showcasing the entire process of selecting Read more…