-
Metals Thoughts: Maybe September isn’t dead
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesLast week's combination of an impressive Q2 GDP revision to 3.7 percent (from 2.3 percent) and the Fed's Jackson Hole Symposium was enough to stem the tide of "September is dead" sentiment. The probability of a September rate hike had swung from 55 percent in early August all the way down to 20 percent earlier in the week, before settling around 38 percent currently. Economists in most polls are still calling it just shy of a coin flip.
-
Do you want to shop where they analyze your eye movements?
Peter Moloney MarketingI was reading a news item recently about another startup in the marketing analytics space. This startup analyzes eye movements as customers browse in a store and, based on that, tries to determine the customer's interest in certain items, which triggers email offers to their mobile phones in real time.
-
Indoor mapping technology: A game changer for retailers
Danielle Manley RetailMapsco books and huge paper maps are a thing of the past. Now, we have our mobile devices equipped with GPS that can give us verbal directions while we drive. We can get directions to practically anywhere with the swipe of our finger. However, once you get to that location, do you know how to get around? Will your smartphone GPS guide you to the nearest restroom? Can you find the store you need in a shopping mall?
-
What’s behind Wal-Mart Pharmacy’s dreary quarter?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalOminous is a word that comes to mind. Forlorn seems to fit, too. It is like a black raven is perched above the entrance of every store. Oh, Edgar Allen Poe would have a field day with this one. I'm talking about the Wal-Mart pharmacy earnings report as described in a recently released transcript conference call.
-
What’s the top luxury purchase these days? Time
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesBuying time is the latest trend in luxury. It's one thing wealthy consumers can't get enough of. Constantly on the go with jam-packed schedules, they are willing to pay a premium for products and services that will add a few extra minutes to their busy days.
-
Netflix sets the bar high with new parental leave policy
Lonny Alfred Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementNetflix recently threw American companies for a loop with the announcement of their updated parental leave policy: New parents will be granted unlimited paid parental leave for a year. Before the news of Netflix's updated policy, some of the best policies belonged to tech companies like Facebook, which offers 17 weeks for paid maternity and paternity leave and $20,000 for family planning costs.
-
Is your business prepared for #Fightfor15?
Danielle Manley Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe recent headlines announcing New York's decision to increase fast food workers' minimum wage to $15 has once again stirred up the nation in a heated debate over whether the minimum wage should be increased nationwide. According to Fortune, New York City must comply with the minimum wage change by 2019, and the rest of the state must comply before July 2021.
-
Dealing with deposits for commercial tenants
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailAlthough landlords often ask for security deposits on commercial leases, such deposits aren't legally required. In fact, you can often negotiate them. Unfortunately, too many tenants don't know that and willingly pay the deposit, without negotiating the amount or the terms.
-
Report: The evolving use of work order management systems
Bruce Condit Facilities & GroundsWork order management systems continue to evolve rapidly in the world of facility maintenance. Today, these high-tech, integrated tools can access and provide data from multiple platforms and provide both retailers and vendors the information needed to make better, faster decisions that cut costs and improve efficiencies.
-
5 warnings no one ever tells commercial tenants
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailDealing with landlords and their representatives can be challenging at any time, but when you're a novice or emotionally or financially attached to the deal — as many tenants understandably are — the entire leasing process becomes much more difficult. You may well have some preconceived notions about commercial leasing. However, you should be mindful of numerous issues.
All Retail Articles