Pricing

An Online Dollar Store to Hollar About
March 3, 2017 at 11:11 am

While traditional department stores, mall-based retailers and subscription commerce businesses have had their struggles as of late, there’s one retail category that's booming (at least relatively speaking): dollar stores and off-price brands (e.g., Ross, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx). However, that category's success hasn't translated online, as the business model of paying to ship inexpensive goods across…

Target Announces Plans to Get More Shoppers in Its Stores
March 1, 2017 at 11:26 am

Just one day after Wal-Mart announced its plans to cut grocery prices, Target said it will spend $2 billion this year and a total of $7 billion over three years to get more people into its stores. The plans include initiatives such as remodeling stores, launching more private label brands, price reductions and opening more small…

Wal-Mart Cuts Prices on Groceries
February 28, 2017 at 11:23 am

Wal-Mart is cutting prices in several markets as the chain prepares for German-based discount grocery chain Aldi’s expansion into the U.S., according to reports. Stores have lowered prices in key markets across 11 states, including Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. The markets account for 56 percent of the company's revenue. The…

Discounters’ Dilemma: Build a Brand Without Discounting
February 22, 2017 at 10:49 pm

Wal-Mart is cutting prices in several markets as the chain prepares for German-based discount grocery chain Aldi’s expansion into the U.S., according to reports. Stores have lowered prices in key markets across 11 states, including Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. The markets account for 56 percent of the company’s revenue. The […]

Pricing Violations: It’s David, Not Goliath
February 14, 2017 at 10:05 am

While large sellers are often blamed for driving prices low and commoditizing goods and services, the big guys aren’t always to blame when it comes to violations of minimum advertised price (MAP) policies. With regard to MAP, smaller retail sites are often the first ones to lower the price, which triggers larger sites and marketplaces to follow…

Controlling Comparison Shopping by Embracing the Behavior
February 8, 2017 at 11:16 am

Since the introduction of e-commerce and especially following its inflection point, “comparison shopping,” a paradigm shift in consumer behavior, fundamentally changed the nature of retail forever. Why do consumers comparison shop? Sixty percent say to find the lowest price, according to PwC's Total Retail Survey 2016. Modern comparison shopping has created a new dilemma for retailers…

Target Lobbies in Washington Against Trump's Border Tax
January 26, 2017 at 10:47 am

President Donald Trump’s so-called border adjustment tax proposal is intended to boost U.S. manufacturing and bring jobs back to America that have gone overseas over the years. The President has said that a 35 percent tax or tariff would be imposed on companies that shut down manufacturing plants and lay off workers in the U.S.…

How an Alternative Payment Method is Driving Increased Conversions for Betabrand
December 15, 2016 at 4:27 pm

In episode 66 of Total Retail Talks, Aaron Magness, chief marketing officer for Betabrand, an online apparel retailer and crowdfunding platform, discusses how the company is using an alternative payment method (APM) from Affirm to increase its site conversion rate. In addition, Magness offers his advice to other retailers looking to integrate APMs into their…

Los Angeles Prosecutors Sue 4 Retailers for Deceptive Advertising
December 12, 2016 at 10:03 am

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office has sued four retailers, alleging deceptive advertising that it says misled shoppers into believing that thousands of products were on sale at a hefty discount. The retailers — J.C. Penney, Sears, Kohl’s and Macy’s — falsely advertised high “list” or “regular” prices on merchandise that was never actually for sale at that…