The downtown area in Black Rock, Bridgeport has undergone a huge shift over the past few years. And the change can be attributed to exactly what Bob said -- a strong group of people coming together with the same goal of making our community a better place. Many local entrepreneurs have opened businesses like coffee shops, yoga studios, retail stores and more. And residents really appreciate supporting the small businesses in the area. It's individuals, not the local government, that organize neighborhood cleanups and community events.

I really love the BOPIS concept, but placing these towers in the back of their store might not be the best idea. Placing them in the front of the store would be more convenient for shoppers looking to get in and get out. A more prominent placement would also help let other Walmart shoppers know about the towers.

This move seems less about incentivizing digital transaction and more about not driving their employees nuts for a promotion that didn’t make the company any money. But opening up mobile pay to all customers is a great move.

Absolutely. This has been increasingly true since the 2016 election and the #GrabYourWallet movement. Corporations are technically viewed as people under the law, so it’s not a far stretch for society to hold them true to the same standards as they would a friend or colleague. It makes sense that rules of “you are what you eat” and “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” apply. Just like a friend would call out someone for bad behavior, consumers are now calling out companies. Which is why it’s so important for brands to have strong values and mission statements that permeate everything that they do. An example that comes to mind is Patagonia for suing the Trump administration for reducing the size of Utah’s national monuments. Was that a safe or easy thing to do? No. But it coincides with their brand values and their consumers respect them for it.

Many corporations often say “employees are our greatest assets” but in practice, they’re often not treated that way, especially in retail. It absolutely makes sense that having a consistent, stable schedule makes employees happier, and therefore more productive. We’ve all heard horror stories of “clopening” shifts and employees promised full-time hours but in reality only working part-time. From my personal experience in hiring/retaining employees in the retail industry, being able to offer a consistent schedule made a world of difference.

In short: a lot. KB Toys doesn't have the same name recognition as Toys “R” Us. As Bob pointed out, if anyone does have feelings about KB Toys, there's a good chance they are negative. Holiday pop-ups are a good place to start for any toy retailer. But then again, a Times Square holiday pop-up was a big part of the Toys “R” Us comeback strategy. Clearly, that didn’t work out. Overall, I think there is a great opportunity for independent retailers and startups to move into this space and revitalize the toy industry.

Gen Z is absolutely financially responsible. But, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing for retail. Millennials were known for overspending on experiences, and underspending in traditional retail. And, there is a difference between products having a good value and having a low price, which I think is the key for Gen Z.

The “unboxing” process has become so essential for startup and breakout brands today. Having a presentation that people want to share and post about organically is such a smart growth strategy. The beauty industry, in particular, has really embraced the concept of creating Instagram-worthy packaging. Glossier is a startup that has had huge success over the past few years, largely due to their packaging. Kylie Cosmetics is another beauty brand that took over Instagram.

I’m not sure how this works with different health codes, but on a personal level, Boris & Horton sounds like a dream come true. I will definitely be planning a visit.

There’s value in tracking social tags, especially because they are unsolicited. And utilizing this user-generated content definitely eliminates a lot of legwork, and gives marketers a good starting point. But like others have pointed out, social tags won’t give you a complete picture. Many customers don’t post about brands on social media. But many people who haven’t interacted with a brand firsthand are basing their perceptions of you off of social posts. So while social tags don’t form a complete snapshot, they make a very relevant one.

Agreed, Paula. Indies have the upper hand when it comes to connecting with the community, partnering with local authors and groups, and offering a more curated selection. All of which are increasingly important today.

Many shoppers love consignment stores for the incredible value and the treasure hunt experience. If retailers can offer great deals and unique one-of-a-kind items, they can still appeal to these thrifty shoppers.

There are a few factors at play here (pun intended -- sorry!). Subscription boxes are like a present. It’s a fun way for people to treat themselves that doesn’t break the bank. Beauty products are also notoriously expensive. Subscription boxes are an affordable way to test out new products without splurging for a full size. Sephora has already proved that they are experts in personalization and product recommendations. It makes sense that they capitalize on that knowledge. I love subscription boxes because they are a win-win for shoppers and retailers. Shoppers get a fun surprise that’s customized just for them, and retailers profit from super high margins. In my opinion, subscription boxes are great for brick-and-mortar retailers. In most cases, product samples won’t replace a need for purchase. But they do build shopper loyalty and boost brand engagement between trips to the store. They also help engage shoppers (like teens and college students) who might otherwise not be able to afford much interaction with your brand. I recently wrote about the subscription box boom for Independent Retailer, and wrote some tips for indies looking to start their own box.

Opening up an off-price branch for overstock will help bring in more revenue for H&M. But it doesn’t address the core problem. Accurate trendcasting and manufacturing is a better solution. Streamlining their business and figuring out their true identity will solve the real problem. As far as their e-commerce difficulties, H&M was really late to the party. They didn’t launch an online store in the U.S. until (I think) 2013. They just never really caught up. Overall, it feels like H&M is trying to do too much too late. They have an overwhelming selection of products and many different brands and offshoots, such as their new Conscious label. Add in an off-price sector and a high-end line and it seems like H&M has simply lost their identity.

A lot of the promise came from our government. Though I agree some larger retailers definitely used this sentiment for positive publicity. Last night in the State of the Union, Trump talked about a small manufacturing business in Ohio that is already benefiting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The truth is, especially for small companies, they haven’t experienced any direct benefit yet. The year just started, and most small businesses won’t feel any type of direct financial impact from the tax cuts until they pay taxes next year. What many people are experiencing is the confidence boost and positive sentiment from this policy. This morning on The Daily podcast, White House correspondent Mark Landler said, “There might be a confidence boost that comes with recognizing that you might have a little more money in your pocket this time next year. President Trump has made this point repeatedly throughout his presidency that it’s not just concrete policies; it’s the intangible confidence that flows out of the policies. It’s like he’s saying he’s giving the whole country a shot in the arm.” Many employees in retail and across the board who feel this confidence and then don’t see any results will definitely be disappointed.