February 22, 2021 by David Pinto
David Pinto, Retailer of the Decade, Walmart
2021, Issue 02-22-2021, Issues, Opinion
After prolonged debate and careful consideration, the editors of MMR have determined that Walmart be recognized as the publication’s Retailer of the Decade for the 10-year period that ended on December 30, 2020. (A special section detailing Walmart’s decade will appear in the March 22 issue of MMR.) In many ways, this was not a
February 22, 2021 by Jeffrey Woldt
Amazon, Andy Jassy, Jeff Bezos
2021, Issue 02-22-2021, Issues, Opinion
When Andy Jassy succeeds Jeff Bezos as chief executive officer of Amazon in the third quarter of 2021, the transition will mark the end of an era at a company that has made it a habit to reexamine customer needs, challenge long-held assumptions and upend established ways of doing business. Amazon’s ability to act as
February 22, 2021 by Scot Meyer
paper bags, plastic bags, Scot Meyer
2021, Issue 02-22-2021, Issues, Opinion
Although mostly filmed on a Hollywood sound stage, the ’90s sitcom “Mad About You” managed to convincingly evoke the New York City of that era. So it was shocking to watch it the other day and see the main characters bringing their groceries home in paper bags. Were New Yorkers really using paper grocery bags
January 25, 2021 by MMR
e-commerce, Marc Lore, Walmart
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Marc Lore, who helped spearhead Walmart’s transformation into an omnichannel retailer, is leaving the company on January 31. He will continue to serve Walmart as a strategic advisor until September, the company said. In a company email, Walmart president and chief executive officer Doug McMillon credited Lore with helping accelerate Walmart’s e-commerce
January 25, 2021 by MMR
2020, holiday sales
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
WASHINGTON — Retail sales during 2020’s November-December holiday season grew an unexpectedly high 8.3% over the same period in 2019 to $789.4 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Online and other non-store sales increased 23.9% to $209 billion. NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said consumers shifted into high gear in December, giving the
January 25, 2021 by MMR
2021 NACDS Annual Meeting, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, virtual
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores plans to hold its 2021 NACDS Annual Meeting as a virtual event. It is scheduled for April 26 to April 28. NACDS says the virtual event will offer relevant and timely business programs featuring NACDS leadership and noted experts in the current state of pandemic
January 25, 2021 by MMR
Walgreens Boots Alliance
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
DEERFIELD, Ill. — The chaotic U.S. health care landscape is clearly one filled with opportunity to Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), which has launched several new initiatives since the start of the year. During a recent presentation at the virtual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, WBA executive vice president and chief financial officer James Kehoe described the industry
January 25, 2021 by MMR
CVS Health, Laurie Havanec, Michelle Peluso
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has focused on people with two recent appointments, tapping Michelle Peluso to serve as the company’s first chief customer officer and naming Laurie Havanec executive vice president and chief people officer. In a newly created executive leadership role, Peluso will be responsible for transforming the consumer experience and accelerating CVS
January 25, 2021 by MMR
Amazon, dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
CHICAGO — Amazon took the top spot in the fourth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI), partly on the strength of its business in a year dominated by COVID-19. Target’s own performance in response to the pandemic allowed it to break into the top quartile of the index for the first time, dunnhumby said. The
January 25, 2021 by MMR
Artificial intelligence, Big Show, machine learning, NRF
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
NEW YORK — After years of talk about the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform retail operations, the tools are beginning to make an impact in brick-and-mortar stores, as well as e-commerce. “Customer-driven commerce: How predictive, personalized digital fulfillment capabilities are transforming consumer experiences,” a session at the National Retail Federation’s Big
January 25, 2021 by MMR
Global Port Tracker, Hackett Associates, imports, National Retail Federation, NRF
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
WASHINGTON — According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released this month by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports seen during 2020 appear to be headed toward a new record despite the coronavirus pandemic, and remain at high levels as 2021 begins. “Nobody would have thought last spring that 2020 would
January 25, 2021 by David Pinto
Annual Meeting, David Pinto, NACDS
2021, Issue 01-25-2021, Issues
Editor’s note: This editorial was written prior to NACDS’ decision to hold this year’s Annual Meeting as a virtual event. With the approach of February, the chain drug industry turns its collective eye toward April and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, that traditional harbinger of the industry’s spring, time of renewal,