PROFILE
Cathy Hotka
Principal, Cathy Hotka & AssociatesCathy Hotka has personal relationships with most of North America’s most influential retail technology leaders. Cathy Hotka & Associates is a different kind of retail IT marketing firm, leveraging close relationships with CIOs to assist technology companies, and working with retail CIOs to create thought leadership materials. The company was founded in 2002 and enjoys working relationships with many Tier 1 retailers and vendors.
Prior to creating the firm, Hotka created the CIO Council for the National Retail Federation, and staffed the American Petroleum Institute’s IT Council. She has worked on Capitol Hill and the White House, and has been recognized by Computerworld, CIO, Executive Technology, and the Wharton School of Business.
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- Posted on: 10/16/2019
Will shoe swapping be the new shoe shopping?
This is a great idea for that special occasion that demands an unusual shoe, but DSW and its cousins have nothing to fear. - Posted on: 10/15/2019
Will customers give Walmart the keys to their homes?
Potential concerns about in-home delivery are almost too numerous to mention -- liability, training, pets, etc. This idea sounds appealing but will likely be a rare money-loser for Walmart. - Posted on: 10/14/2019
Will Best Buy wrap up Black Friday sales with a price match guarantee in October?
This is a great idea. Loads of people shop early for Christmas; Best Buy's promise guarantees they'll get the best price, no matter what...this is an idea that could really catch on. - Posted on: 10/11/2019
Can retail ease automation’s impact on African American workers?
There's plenty to be worried about here, but I doubt that retail will be affected in the near term. It's not practical now to have machines hanging clothes on racks, or wrapping gifts, greeting customers, or handing over burgers and fries. We need to have a national conversation, though, about self-driving vehicles. They're going to be all over the roads, and we're not ready. - Posted on: 10/10/2019
Can Target’s chief merchandising officer turn Bed Bath & Beyond around?
Dave, you're right -- if BedBath can amp up the experience, it can move beyond price. A few store brands wouldn't hurt, either. - Posted on: 10/07/2019
Best Buy makes a big bet on health tech
This is very smart. Sure, healthcare is a big opportunity, but well-heeled Boomers will welcome an opportunity to create a relationship with Best Buy to purchase electronics and peripherals. This sounds like success. - Posted on: 09/27/2019
Amazon wants to take the lead on regulating facial recognition tech
It's tough to imagine which entity American citizens would trust LESS with their personal privacy -- the United States government, or Amazon. - Posted on: 09/26/2019
Will selling online be the start of something big or bad for Marshalls?
There's a lot to like here. While the website lacks the careful merchandising evident in the stores, it does have some surprises ($1,200 sneakers?) and some genuine buys. I love it already. - Posted on: 09/24/2019
Do retailers need better business intelligence tools or a better analytic strategy?
Completely true. It is a free-for-all. Perhaps the more fundamental question is whether retail companies have a shared vision of where they want to go; I have yet to meet anyone who says they do. - Posted on: 09/23/2019
Will pushing back against Christmas creep drive sales eBay’s way?
Customers don't want to see "back to school" in May. They don't want to see Halloween candy on the Fourth of July, and they really don't want to hear Jingle Bells in September. Come on, people. - Posted on: 09/20/2019
H.H. Gregg makes its big return with a pint-sized store
Customers might welcome an opportunity to compare notes with an expert to choose the right appliance, then have it delivered. Still, given the wide variety of SKUs that H.H. Gregg used to sell, it's hard to imagine that the new advise-and-buy model can be profitable. - Posted on: 09/19/2019
Retailers falling short at training frontline workers
Successful retailers know that an engaged workforce is essential. Associates need to understand the culture, they need technical training, and they should feel a sense of confidence and belonging. Invest in your people, or wonder why your turnover is so high. - Posted on: 09/18/2019
Retailers approach tech’s cutting edge with caution
Retailers have a host of opportunities to improve the shopping experience, and they're going to prioritize the most impactful ones first. There will always be bright shiny objects (robots that greet you! Mirrors that talk!) but technologies that drive sales and improve profits will always be adopted first. - Posted on: 09/17/2019
Have U.S. malls lost their sense of community?
The polished granite box near me now features only a CVS, a Cheesecake Factory, a World Market and a Starbucks. The rest is vacant. We have changed the way we shop, and this vacancy spiral can't end well for malls, no matter what kind of experiences they attempt. - Posted on: 09/16/2019
Macy’s elevates diversity goals
A more diverse Macy's is a stronger Macy's. Let's watch their progress and apply those learnings to more of the industry.
