According to a new Gallup poll, U.S. consumers do not trust retailers as much as they used to — and they do not have much trust for anyone else, either. Do you agree with Gallup’s assessment of the state of trust for retail businesses and the steps retailers should take to earn customer trust?

CVS and Walgreens have both begun the certification process to sell abortion pills under a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation that will allow the medication to be offered by retail pharmacies for the first time. Not unsurprisingly, the backlash has begun. Are CVS and Walgreens making the right business decision to pursue certification to sell abortion pills?

Timed to International Youth Day, The Body Shop has launched a youth voter engagement and registration drive across its U.S. stores and website ahead of the November midterm elections. Does Body’s Shop’s voter engagement and registration campaign make sense for the cosmetics chain as well as for many other retailers?

While congestion has lessened at West Coast ports, global supply chain disruption may linger for years due to economic conditions, rising inflation and global tensions, according to a survey. When do you see global supply chains becoming at least more predictable?

Walgreens has a public perception issue to deal with after recent encounters with store staff led customers to go public with the ill treatment they received in the chain’s stores. Does Walgreens need to come up with another response other than citing its company policy in instances where associate’s acts of conscience result in unhappy customers?

Walgreens associates have made the news in recent weeks for refusing to sell over-the-counter and prescription contraceptives to customers based on their religious objections. Should Walgreens and other retailers screen applicants to see if their personal views may interfere with their ability to do their jobs?

Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against Unilever, after its parent company last week reached a deal to sell the distribution rights to the brand in Israel to a local licensee. Will Ben & Jerry’s brand independence be diminished if Unilever’s sale to AQP goes through?

Social holidays have increasingly become a revenue stream for many retailers, capitalized on with branded merchandise. These assortments and corporate stances have not been without controversy. What impact do you think increased diversification of sexual and gender orientation will have on the retail industry?

A leaked initial draft of an opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito that indicates the court will overturn Roe versus Wade has become a business issue overnight.  How should retailer and consumer brand businesses best navigate the controversy surrounding the possible overturning of Roe V. Wade?

REI, Patagonia and The North Face plan to boycott the Outdoor Retailer show once it returns to Salt Lake City in 2023 in a spat over the Utah legislature’s stance on public land protection. Do you support moves by major outdoor retailers and vendors to boycott the Outdoor Retailer show’s return to Salt Lake City over Utah’s environmental policies?

Fifteen percent of Americans are in a position to determine 2022’s winners and losers in retail and politics, according to new research. Will catering to “aspirational independents” prove successful for retailers if also trying to appeal to consumers with less moderate political leanings?

The price of pasta, bread, cereal and other wheat products could soon be climbing at U.S. grocers similar to recent gas pump hikes in another repercussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. What obvious and less obvious fallout do you see on food prices as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war?

McDonald’s and Starbucks have announced a suspension of operations in Russia following that country’s unprovoked attack on neighboring Ukraine that has resulted in thousands killed and the largest refugee crisis to hit Europe since the second world war. Will retailers and brands that continue operating in Russia lose sales in Western nations as a result?

Twelve days into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the most visible impact on U.S. retail appears to be brands suspending operations in Russia, local calls for boycotts of Russian vodka and a spike in gas prices.  How should U.S. retail prepare for and respond to any fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Mars has updated M&M’s five anthropomorphized color-coded mascots that appear in marketing campaigns as a way to promote inclusivity, leading some to question whether it’s another case of “wokeness” run amuck.  Were M&M’s mascots outdated or were the updates an overreaction to cultural sensitivities?

The Omicron virus is here and is probably more widespread than currently known. Beyond that there isn’t a lot known about the latest variant of COVID-19 other than by vaccine makers. Do you see signs that the Omicron variant has begun to affect consumer shopping behavior in the U.S.?

Separate merchandising sections marked by traditional pink and blue color schemes for girls and boys have long been staples in merchandising. The California legislature, however, wants to see such products merchandised together instead of split out by gender. Do you see much of a need for gender-neutral signage or displays in stores?

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union welcomed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidelines for mask wearing in public spaces, but says that more is needed to protect retail workers. Do you support requirements for proof of COVID-19 vaccination from shoppers in order to shop unmasked in stores?

Retailers have been reporting growing streams of customers returning to shop in stores since pandemic measures were relaxed, but that boost could be short lived as the Delta variant spreads. How likely is the spread of the Delta variant to put a speed bump in the recovery path for retailers and restaurants over the next several months?

Ben & Jerry’s set off a global firestorm after the Unilever-owned brand announced last week that it would no longer do business in occupied Palestinian territory. What lessons does the uproar over Ben & Jerry’s announcement offer around companies taking stands on social issues?

New research suggests there is little downside for companies offering free products to Americans who have gotten vaccinated against COVID-19. Where do you come down on the business case for retailers offering promotional rewards to people getting COVID-19 vaccines?

The Retail Industry Leaders Association, a group representing the largest retailers in the U.S., has come out in support of the goals outlined by President Joe Biden to cut the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.  What do you see as the biggest implications for the retail industry should the government fail to aggressively address climate change?

Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, supports spending big on infrastructure, even if that means his company is required to pay more in taxes to get it done. Are you surprised by Jeff Bezos’ qualified endorsement of the outlines of the American Rescue Plan?

Retail’s front line faces an angry, vocal minority that abuses associates simply because workers cannot fight back. Have “the customer is always right” programs in retail allowed confrontations with associates to escalate?

Amazon recently came under scrutiny by Republican members of the U.S. Senate when it decided to remove a book, When Harry Became Sally by Ryan Anderson, from its website and Audible and Kindle platforms.  How do you think Amazon should handle the fallout?

Many retailers found themselves facing a dilemma this week after Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Texas was lifting its mask mandate in the state. Are governors that lift face mask mandates making it easier or harder for retailers to conduct business in light of the current COVID-19 realities on the ground?

Mask compliance continues to frustrate retailers nearly one year into the pandemic and the vaccine rollout is creating more turbulence on selling floors. What new challenges does the rollout of vaccines and easing of restrictions around dining and other activities place on mask mandates at stores?

Communities that have long had trouble attracting grocers that sell fresh and nutritious foods may find they have pulled the short straw when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, as well.  What do you see as the biggest internal and external challenges facing retail pharmacies when it comes to immunizing large numbers of people against COVID-19?

Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, who gained fame hawking his company’s products on television, is becoming notorious for promoting election conspiracy theories. Now, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, H-E-B, Wayfair and others will stop selling My Pillow in stores and online. Do you think the retailers that are delisting My Pillow would do so if items from the line were top sellers?

Dollar General and Trader Joe’s understand that associates can’t stock shelves and serve customers in stores if they are out of work because they’ve contracted COVID-19. That’s why they’re offering to pay employees to get vaccinated. How likely are compensation offers to raise COVID-19 vaccine compliance among workers?

Home Depot and Starbucks announced plans to increase regular wages for associates. What do you think is motivating Home Depot, Starbucks, Target and Best Buy to increase their wages for store associates?

Joe Biden hopes aggressive spending will revive a pandemic-battered economy and offset any negative impacts from new taxes and regulations. Much depends, however, on which side controls the Senate. What do you see as the potential benefits and drawbacks for retail from a Biden administration?

The marketers at the Gap released a Twitter post of a hoodie, half blue and half red, that was not of an actual item for sale, but just imagery to support an aspirational message.  Do you agree that Gap made a social media mistake with its unity hoodie tweet?

President Trump announced via Twitter yesterday that he was pulling the plug on negotiations over a new stimulus bill to help struggling American citizens and businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic until after the election.  Do you agree that quick action is needed on a new stimulus plan or do you think it can wait until after the election?

Patagonia, known for its environmental roots, added the message “Vote the a**holes out” to the back of label tags on some products as a statement against climate change. Do you see more risks than benefits to Patagonia’s move to elevate its political messaging amid the election cycle?

The presidential election typically causes distractions to holiday selling every four years and this year’s disruption might eclipse all others. How do you think the upcoming elections will impact the flow of holiday spending?

Retailers have at least three paths to join in on the upcoming elections: giving their employees time off to vote, encouraging customers to go to the polls and selling election merchandise. What advice would you give retailers and brands for taking advantage of marketing or merchandising opportunities around the upcoming presidential election?

As Congress struggles to find common ground on a second round of fiscal stimulus, it’s time to review the impact of the CARES Act legislation. How effective do you think CARES was in helping American consumers and retailers deal with the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic?

The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot in American society. One of those things, according to a survey of the most patriotic brands in the U.S., are the perceptions that many Americans have of retailers and brands. Do you agree that “basic tenets of consumer loyalty and brand engagement [have] been upended” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic?

Goya and Whole Foods are two brands currently facing boycotts in today’s politically-charged climate. Two new surveys indicate that consumer boycotts are becoming more pervasive. What is driving the apparent rise in boycotts of retailers and brands?

While a generous labor pool typically favors employers, a new appreciation for the work done by frontline associates may bring about wage changes long championed by worker advocates. If that doesn’t do it, the upcoming Presidential election might. Do you think a significant raise in the federal minimum wage is likely in the next year?

Starbucks last week joined a small group of multi-state retailers that are requiring customers to wear masks for entry across all locations. Will Starbucks’ move to make masks mandatory for in-store customers likely heighten or lessen the risk of confrontations from shoppers?

REI and The North Face on Friday became the first prominent firms to agree to stop buying Facebook ads because of how the platform polices hate speech and misinformation. What should guide decisions on whether retailers and brands pull advertising from a social media platform due to content?

Everyone knows they are in Best Buy when they see a blue shirt associate or in Trader Joe’s when they come across crew members working in Hawaiian shirts. We are not, however, in normal times. Do you think that retail and restaurant employers should relax current dress codes to allow associates to display solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement?

H-E-B really wants its customers to wear masks in-store. In San Antonio, however, store staff will no longer turn away the mask-less. Is it time for grocers to start relaxing policies for in-store face mask-wearing?

The 2008 financial crisis, concerns over inequality and the rise in populism are among the factors that have driven the anti-globalization and anti-immigration movement in recent years. Some fear the coronavirus pandemic will accelerate that mindset shift. Do you think the coronavirus pandemic will make the world less global beyond just the near-term?

Retail, as they say, is detail. In today’s retailing world, many of those details go well beyond the fundamentals of buying and selling goods as is clear from reports of Walmart’s annual shareholders’ meeting. Are there retailing and consumer brand executives and companies that you see as examples for how businesses should operate in and out of times of crisis?

“We are a community in pain. That pain is not unique to the Twin Cities — it extends across America,” wrote Target CEO Brian Cornell Friday in an open letter. What is your reaction to how retailers and brands have reacted to nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd?

Last week, a security guard at a Family Dollar in Michigan was fatally shot after telling a customer to wear a face mask. Other high-profile incidents involving rebellion have occurred against social distancing mandates. How should stores manage the minor and major confrontations stemming from social distancing mandates?

Costco last week became the first major retailer to require that all customers wear face coverings. Should stores require, recommend or forgo policies regarding wearing masks inside stores amid the pandemic?