retail, commerce, grocery, COVID, COVID19, coronavirus
Gary E. Hawkins
Retail Response to COVID19: Innovation in ...

During my many years as a supermarket retailer I saw my share of panic buying related to natural disasters like blizzards and hurricanes. Like many, I lived through the 9/11 crisis and its impact. But I have never experienced anything like what we are currently going through.

I’ve talked with many people across the supply chain these past few days, from brand manufacturers to distributors to retailers. I have been in our local stores seeking supplies but also watching how retailers are responding to a never-before environment.

While healthcare workers are always thought of as the front lines in a pandemic like we are experiencing, it is just as true that the workers in supermarkets and drug stores are equally on the front lines. The commitment by people across the massive grocery industry to serve the people in their communities during this crisis is to be commended. They don’t have to be there - they can stay home like many others, taking care of their families, and self-quarantining. But these store workers are unselfishly putting themselves on the front line of the coronavirus battle, realizing that feeding and providing needed supplies for their communities is as important as the doctors and nurses caring for the ill.

When the current crisis abates - and it will - I believe the retail industry can step back to realize what it has accomplished….

Retail Response to COVID19: Innovation in Realtime

marketing

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2020: Welcome to The Age Of Personalization

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2020: Welcome to The Age Of Personalization

“Personalization” is increasingly being recognized as a “must have” for retailers of all types; but especially for grocers. Here are a handful of insights regarding personalization:

“In 2020, retailers are focused on identifying and serving the individual customer with tailored services by investing in Shopper Tracking, Location-Based Marketing and CRM/Personalization.”- Progressive Grocer, 2019

“Personalization will be the prime driver of marketing success within five years. Only by acting today, however, can companies hope to be in a position to deliver value to both their customers and their brands.”- McKinsey, 2019

“As the digital age offers up new ways to fight for customer mindshare and dollars, consumer-facing organizations are responding with new efforts to personalize the customer experience…and reaping big rewards in the process.”- Harvard Business Review, 2018

Not all personalization solutions are alike!

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How Independents Can Overcome Retail Giants in 2020

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How Independents Can Overcome Retail Giants in 2020

No one ever said it’s easy to be an independent retailer. This is especially true in a retail world where the battle for supremacy among giants such as Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Alidi and Costco can cause collateral damage to independent retailers.

However, as the new decade begins soon, independents have a lot going for them relative to larger rivals. They are nimble, smart, very connected to their markets and communities and can move quickly if they choose. They can fully capitalize on these strengths by...

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The Promise and Peril of Data for Retailers and Solution Providers

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The Promise and Peril of Data for Retailers and Solution Providers

Data powers the retail industry, especially in today’s digital age. From in-store analytics to optimized-everything, and from marketing personalization to product customization, big data is the fuel in an age of tech-enabled innovation. Rarely do we see a few weeks go by that some new solution enters the industry that either creates a new data stream or feeds off existing data.