DMM Retail Industry e-News Issue #186
Expert Advises Retailers How to Increase Productivity
Who couldn’t be a little more – or sometimes a lot more – productive? The COVID-19 situation has forced retailers to take a hard look at how they do things and how to do things differently. Simon Hedaux is the founder and CEO of UK-based Rethink Productivity, a company that helps companies be more efficient. In a recent post on TotalRetail.com, Hedaux outlined his top six tips for improving productivity, including reviewing how you operate during a crisis. “Most retailers that traded through lockdown periods adopted changes that they may not have considered in more normal times. If you slimmed down your operation and it worked, make the change permanent,” Hedaux said.
Amazon: “We’re Awesome!” Walmart: “Oh Yeah? Check This Out!”
Have you noticed lately things that have added functionality or are improvements over previous iterations simply add a “+” to their logo – think “Disney+” or “HBO+” (side note to the NFL team in Washington: maybe you should call yourself “Washington+” going forward; just a thought). The “+” replaces the tendency to refer to something that’s new and improved as “Yada yada 2.0,” which seems to have run its course. While Amazon thought it was in cruise control with Amazon Prime, along comes Walmart with “Walmart 2.0,” or rather, “Walmart+.” Vox.com reported the launch was pushed back to July from March, when COVID-19 first struck. “The $98 annual membership is expected to include unlimited same-day delivery of groceries and other goods from Walmart Supercenters, reserved delivery slots and open-slot notifications, as well as some access to Walmart’s new Express two-hour delivery offering, though not unlimited usage. Walmart+ perks are also expected to include discounts on fuel at Walmart gas stations, early access to some product deals, and a Scan & Go service that would allow shoppers to check out in Walmart stores without waiting in line,” Vox reported. Forbes’ Senior Contributor Chris Walton seems to already be a fan.
Tanger Outlets Launches “Virtual Shopper” to Drive Brick-and-Mortar Sales
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. has launched a new app that lets shoppers buy stuff electronically, and then either pick up their orders curbside or have them delivered from nearby stores. The new “Virtual Shopper” program, launched in June, encourages purchasing locally with the convenience of online shopping. “Tanger is really trying to think outside the box to compete. The pandemic has hit everybody in the retail industry hard,” Erin Grenier, assistant general manager at Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods in Connecticut, told the Hartford Business Journal. In a press release, Tanger said, “The new program serves to drive in-store sales for brands and retailers, functioning as a digital, service-minded extension of the brick-and-mortar retail experience.”
Whitepapers, Research Teams, Media Turn to DMM for Reliable Data
Did you know that Directory of Major Malls’ data has been used in articles, research studies and whitepapers with various media outlets, research groups and analytic organizations? From publications by the Harvard Business School to The Wall Street Journal and NPR, our data not only helps retailers and others in the industry, but those that cover and opine about it. Click here to see some of the ways our data has been utilized.
DMM e-News - Issue #186
