As major events and policies unfold daily, COVID-19 has left retailers rapidly responding to real-time changes. But in companies’ efforts to act as swiftly and strategically as possible in the wake of the pandemic, hourly workers have been severely impacted. To better understand and help hourly employees, our team conducted a study to see how…
Total Retail is continuing its daily coverage of how retailers and brands are responding to the COVID-19 crisis and the impact it is having on their businesses. Here's the latest: Retailers are continuing to lay off and furlough workers due to the coronavirus uncertainty. Macy's announced this morning that the majority of employees for the Macy’s,…
In episode 240 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Lexy Onofrio, vice president, brand marketing strategy and creative at Lane Bryant, a leading retailer of plus-sized clothing for women. Listen in as Onofrio discusses the brand's history and audience, as well as how Lane Bryant is improving its customers' in-store shopping experiences through…
It’s hard to look any further than the next day during the current COVID-19 pandemic, but we will persevere and ultimately get through this crisis. Shifting our attention to the future while meeting the day-to-day challenges can be a good strategy in coping with a pandemic. To that end, I’d like to turn our attention…
In episode 239 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Michael Markesbery, co-founder and CEO of OROS, a performance outerwear brand that features product inspired by NASA technology. In this wide-ranging interview, Markesbery discusses his inspiration for launching OROS, why product innovation is at the core of the brand's ethos, the digital-native company's decision…
For years, brick-and-mortar retailers have been struggling with the question of how to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. From the prevalence of buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) to big-box stores putting food in shoppers’ refrigerators, consumers place a high premium on speed and convenience. And while smart brands will use an omnichannel approach to…
It’s coming to the end of a Thursday afternoon in the office. A push notification reminds you of dinner plans at 7:00 p.m., a monthly chance to catch up with an old friend. You haven’t booked ahead, but both decide to go back to the popular ceviche bar on terrace at Westfield after a quick…
Many retailers are closing their doors or reducing their open hours across the U.S. in an effort to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. While the closures may help stop the spread of the virus, they will also hamper the already-stressed retail industry. Here's a list of major retailers that are closing stores (more are…
Neiman Marcus is largely getting out of the discount store business. The Dallas-based upscale department store chain announced on Wednesday that it was closing most of its 22 remaining Last Call discount stores, saying it preferred to focus on its high-end business. The closings will result in 500 jobs being eliminated by the end of…
Starbucks announced that it will provide "catastrophe pay" to baristas in the U.S who have been exposed to the coronavirus, CNBC reported. The coffee chain will pay employees for up to 14 days if they have tested positive for coronavirus, or are exposed to or in close contact with someone who has coronavirus. Starbucks employees…
