Ben Ball

I do not doubt the influence of social media on marketing in general and brands in specific. But I think Facebook in particular runs the risk of becoming the digital equivalent of network TV. That's got to be bad when you live in a world with literally millions of...

Is Walmart falling behind dollar stores by not opening Express more aggressively?

In current store count, of course. In developing the most effective small FOOD format -- maybe not.

Dollar stores and drug are both adapting a general merchandise format to accommodate food based on the store traffic it...

If my universe of around a dozen Millennials that I see regularly represents any sort of sample, this is a mixed bag, as with any generation. But it does seem to lean heavier in the "foodie" direction. And, with a heavy skew toward craft brews over wines as well....

On the one hand, this is a natural swing of the cultural pendulum away from mass manufacturing and Asian imports. But it goes deeper than that I believe, and in a very good way. Support of local community has long been a hallmark of rural living, best exhibited in...

The obvious and probably accurate reaction here is that this move is totally in keeping with the new JCP low cost strategy -- by lowering overall labor costs.

Having said that, there is a definite difference in the behaviors of the sales psyche motivated by commission and that which...

Please! This is a classic "human nature" issue. Where is Ian Percy when we need him???

Every individual comes into every situation with a given level of intelligence and motivation. Regardless of where they start from, giving any one of those individuals instant access to information they would otherwise...

One of the toughest challenges for Costco online is to maintain the core benefit of BIG value -- simply because BIG value often equals BIG shipping costs. That can quickly turn setting up a regular monthly delivery of paper towels and toilet paper to your home into a little...

I see two notable indications from this research.

First, the fundamentals haven't changed (surprise!). There is a core of consumers who make their views known regularly to retailers, manufacturers and "friends and family." They are more likely to spread bad news than good, and they are more likely to...

Many have commented on the potential for Food in the Dollar Channel, and my colleague, Ray Jones points out the value advantage the channel can offer.

I would add that Dollar also offers a considerable convenience advantage based on proximity -- particularly for quick trips and fill-in trips --...

While I appreciate, often participate in, and agree with most of the criticisms of Sears Holdings' retailing prowess, there is one indisputable fact. The company, or at least the owner, knows how to build shareholder value and equity. Based on that, I would submit SH is interested in things...