The Retail Focus Podcast

Retail Focus 4/27/16 - Monthly Amazon Prime Memberships, Inbound Marketing & Retail

We discuss motives behind Amazon's new month-to-month Prime memberships, more bad news for Aeropostale and Sears Holdings/Kmart, and Target's dynamic produce pricing pilot.  Copywriter and e-commerce research and development consultant Kaleb Clark joins us to discuss inbound marketing and e-commerce for service-oriented retailers.

Retail Focus 4/20/16 - Pier 1 Goes Omnichannel, Retail Employee Retention

We discuss Pier 1's outlook after substantial digital infrastructure investments, more on the state of retail sporting goods, and Walmart's aim for omnichannel grocery services. Our guest is Corporate Dynamics Founder Mark Landiak, who explores how retailers can drive positive employee retention beginning with the interview process.

Retail Focus 4/13/16 - Rite Aid Revenues Jump, Dynamics of Retailers Closing on Sundays

This week, we delve into Rite Aid's increased revenues in the last fiscal year, Gap's struggles, and Duluth Trading Company's plans for expansion. Our guest is Dr. Dennis Hoffman, Director of the L. William Siedman Research Institute at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business, who joins us to discuss the dynamics surrounding retailers that close on a given day each week.

Retail Focus 4/6/16 - Walmart's Rewards Program, Minimum Wage Hikes

We explore both Walmart's yearly revenue decline and their new rewards program, as well as possible effects of the California minimum wage increase on retailers.  Additionally, a recent survey suggests that Millennials desire a brick-and-mortar retail presence more than older generations.

Retail Focus 3/30/16 - Publix' Northward Expansion, Starbucks' Annual Meeting

On this edition, we take a close look at the possibility of regional grocer Publix making a move further into the mid-Atlantic region, Aldi's new stores in California's Inland Empire, and the buzz surrounding Starbucks' latest annual meeting.  Following a check of retail news, we explore the newly minted deal between Costco, Visa, and Citigroup.

Retail Focus 3/24/16 - RH's Supply Chain Struggles, Postmodern Best Products Facades

We look into Restoration Hardware's supply chain struggles and ensuing stock downgrades, the Aeropostale's continued nosedive, and the first ideas to come from Target's partnership with IDEO and MIT. Our guest is New York-based architect, author, and designer Margaret McCormick, who discusses the legacy of the Postmodern Best Products facades built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Retail Focus 3/16/16 - Tailored Brands Eyes Closures, the Ballad of Children's Palace

We delve into Tailored Brands' announcement regarding anticipated store closures in 2016, Dollar General's sales increase, and Apollo Global Management's purchase of The Fresh Market.  We also take an analytical glance at Child World/Children's Palace, a toy store that fell into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the early 1990s, and discuss lessons current retailers can learn from their story.

Retail Focus 3/10/16 - The Ongoing Haggen Saga, Meijer's Unique Culture

We discuss the attempt by Albertsons to acquire the remaining Haggen stores in the Pacific Northwest, Shopko's expansion plans for its Hometown concept, and the possible rebound of teen clothing retailers. Our guest is former Meijer Director of Creative Services Paul Smardo, who discusses the unique culture at one of the largest privately-held retailers in the U.S.

Retail Focus 2/24/16 - Target Re-Designs Packaging, Tuna Sales During Lent

This week, we look into Target's package re-design for their Market Pantry product line, the multiple rumored bids to purchase The Fresh Market, and Lumber Liquidator's roller-coaster 2016. Our interview guest is Colin Watson, University of Michigan PhD candidate, who published a 2012 article regarding the dynamics of tuna sales during Lent.

Retail Focus 2/10/16 - Kroger's Main & Vine, Small Town Retail Dynamics

We discuss Kroger's new Main & Vine concept, and whether retail grocers have an obligation to keep failing stores open to avoid creation of food deserts. Our guests are Kasey Coker of Muleshoe, TX and mayor Tim Lentz of Horton, KS, who give us a look inside how small towns forge forward following the loss of a retail anchor.

For more on Horton, KS, visit their website or Facebook page.

Retail Focus 2/3/16 - Circuit City Returns, Marketing for Small Retail

We survey the return of the Circuit City brand to the retail electronics marketplace, a new direction for Sears' Hometown format, and J.C. Penney's re-entrance into the appliance fray. Our guest is copywriting guru Kaleb Clark, who discusses marketing techniques for small and rural retail.

Retail Focus 1/28/16 - Aldi Increases Organic Offerings, Process of Retail Ad Creation

We look into Aldi's continued push towards organic food, rumors of Sports Authority store closures, and the relationship between retail stores and housing costs. Our guest is Prophit Marketing Art Director Rachael Rogers, who explains the process behind creating effective print and online advertisements for retailers.

Retail Focus 1/20/16 - Walmart, Kmart Closures; Dynamics of Craft Beer & Spirits

We assess what the ending of the Walmart Express pilot means for the company, whether Walmart's other store closures will make a significant dent in their holdings, the continued waves of closures for Sears Holdings, and other topics from the week in retail. Our guest is food, drink, and culture writer Ashlie Stevens, who discusses the relationship dynamics of craft beer and spirits, and how craft brands are communicating with consumers in a retail setting.

Retail Focus 1/13/16 - Macy's Closes 40 Stores, Authenticity in Retail

This week, we discuss Macy's announcement of specific store closures (and openings), Finish Line's new direction, and Whole Foods' speculation on the top ten food trends of 2016.  Our interview guest is social media consultant Sydney Ward Anselmi, who discusses her research on authenticity and how retailers interact with their authentic brands.