Do you agree that a significant upgrade in prepared food offerings would pay off for grocers? Has cross-merchandising to other departments been a lost opportunity? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Location, location, location! If there are not many choices near a grocer, then it makes total sense to elevate Read more…
Do you support or oppose the proposed changes to the SNAP program made by the Trump administration? If enacted, how would you see the changes affecting grocery retailers? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Yet another well-run program that the Trump administration is trying to undermine when it does not Read more…
Will Instacart and Shipt be able to hold their own — perhaps even gain ground — against Amazon? Are you more bullish on one company’s prospects versus the other in near- and long-term? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: First, I hope both are able to compete with Amazon as Read more…
Should retailers be aggressive or patient at this point in investing in enabling retail workers with AI? What’s causing the apparent slow pace of investment? What’s your overall advice to retailers around applying AI to their workforce and work processes? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: They have two choices; Read more…
Will Amazon Go be a hit with shoppers? Do you expect Amazon to expand the store concept? Will it bring the technology to Whole Foods, as well? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: I think it will be a hit with shoppers as long as the bill matches what they Read more…
What advice would you have for retailers looking to create a culture of change? What hurdles do retailers face when encouraging associates to embrace many of the new or soon-to-arrive digital tools? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments: Most companies are indeed risk averse or change averse so the challenge Read more…
Do you think Kohl’s is on the right path with its plan to lease space within its stores to grocery and/or convenience store partners? What do you see as the challenges with such an arrangement? Are there companies that you think would make ideal partners for Kohl’s? Interactive Edge’s CEO, Read more…
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…
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 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…