Supermarkets appear to be losing ground when it comes to Gen Z and millennial wallets. Can they mount a turnaround?

Wellness products are having a moment. Will younger Americans significantly redefine the retail wellness market to focus on their outsized spend?

Millennials are often associated with minimalism. Is there any truth to that label, or is it a myth?

Pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, has become the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with 8.9 million…

The “State of the U.S. Wine Industry” report from Silicon Valley Bank found that the only growth in the category came from consumers over 60.

A new survey finds many targeted ads and personalized emails make consumers feel “creepy,” but more so with Boomers than younger generations. What should marketers take away from evidence that younger generations may be more open to personal data-driven online marketing schemes?

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has launched a new store design – The Getaway – that seeks to make “every day feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend” for the chain’s young Millennial and Gen Z customers. Do you think A&F is in a stronger or weaker position to deal with current market challenges than its rivals?

The movement of the massive Millennial generation into peak spending patterns is playing a major role in driving inflation, at least according to one investor. Do you agree that the timing of Millennials reaching their prime spending years is a major factor causing inflation to spike?

A social media firestorm erupted after a manager of Dollar Tree store in Indiana last week posted a sign disparaging Gen-Z’s work ethic and proclaiming a “Baby Boomers ONLY” hiring plea. What’s your take on the work habits of Gen-Z versus previous generations when they were at the same stage in their lives?

A dominant 53 percent of teens identified Amazon.com as their favorite e-commerce site, according to Piper Sandler’s “Spring 2022 Taking Stock With Teens” survey. What’s driving the strong appeal of Amazon among younger consumers?

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?

A new study finds only 42 percent of owners and managers of independent liquor stores see them as viable in the long term. Do independent wine and liquor stores need to reinvent themselves for Millennials and Gen-Z?

The phrase “OK Boomer” comes from Gen-Zers posting it on TikTok, and Twitter as a retort to older generations being condescending to them. It becomes controversial when used to call out Boomers’ responsibility for Gen-Z’s sizable economic hurdles. How open should retailers be to selling merchandise featuring the “OK Boomer” phrase?

For all the talk about the changing consumer behavior, it turns out that Millennials aren’t all that much different than past generations. They just don’t have as much disposable income. What do you see as the most significant changes in consumer behavior over the past 10 to 20 years in the U.S.?

According to a new study 78 percent of U.S. adults would consider residing in “live, work, shop, play” environments. Do you see interest in “live, work, shop, play” environments as an expanding, long-term trend?

For the fifth-straight year, H&M is rolling out its Place of Possible recruiting campaign, talking up H&M’s pay, benefits and flexible hours for U.S. employees as well as opportunities for advancement and personal fulfillment. Are retailers missing an opportunity by not using employees as talent recruiters?

Esports, or competitive gaming, has either surpassed or is close to exceeding $1 billion in global revenues, according to studies. And advertisers are increasingly recognizing the activity’s potential to reach the coveted Millennial demographic. Do you see a broad or niche opportunity for retailers and brands to tap into the growing popularity of esports?

Earlier in February, Walmart quietly launched a new retail holiday that’s being described by some as a Prime Day for babies. Will Baby Savings Day have a significant effect on Walmart’s share of the baby products category?

The hit Netflix series, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” has led to a surge in donations to thrift stores since its debut on New Year’s Day. Some speculate that the de-cluttering trend may pose a threat to fast-fashion. Why has “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” struck a chord with the public?

If history teaches us one thing, it’s that spirituality is a surefire way to turn a profit. Is spirituality-based consumerism just a fad or a trend that mainstream retailers should take seriously?

According to a new study, a strong social media presence is a huge part of the loyalty equation for Millennials — and not having a responsive social media presence might even result in a lost sale. Do you believe that social media for customer service is an important loyalty driver in retailing today?

When customers shop at your store, do they feel confident, secure, and supported? According to a survey Bob Phibbs conducted in partnership with Oracle NetSuite and Wakefield, they don’t. How effectively, in general, do you find that retailers connect with shoppers in their stores?

It may come as no surprise that, when it comes to buying illicit merchandise, frugal, impulse-buying Millennials are leading the charge. Do you think that Millennials, in particular, fall prey to purchasing knockoff goods?

A big dollar store chain that’s been described as “taking over rural America” is now upping its urban presence with a new store concept tailored specifically to the city. What will DGX have to do to compete in urban markets?

Twenty-four percent of Millennials have falsely reported an unpleasant experience to a customer service department with the expectation of a receiving a discount or coupon, according to a survey. Do you think Millennials are more apt to complain about customer service issues to gain discount or coupons versus other generational groups?

In 2015, Inc. Magazine called Millennials “the most brand-loyal generation.” Public perception of the generation has changed, however. In your experience are Millennials a particularly brand-loyal generation?

Hasbro has come out with a Millennial-themed Monopoly set. The game has faced a backlash on social media. Did Hasbro strike the right tone with Monopoly for Millennials or is it offensive to members of the generation?

According to a new report, store brand dollar share in grocery is expected to hit a record high of 18.4 percent in 2018 and reach 25 percent over the next decade. One big reason: Millennials. Why do you think Millennials are attracted to private label grocery products as much as they are?

Walmart has made a lot of upgrades in recent years that appear to reach beyond its traditional shopper base. Now, the chain has begun to reimagine some of its stores and their surrounding real estate as “town centers.” Is rethinking and redesigning locations as town centers a good move for the future of the Walmart?

Gen Z is set to reshape America’s workforce as the oldest of them have started graduating from college. How will Gen Z workers be different from Millennials as they reach retail selling floors and corporate offices?

While CVS has long been in competition mainly with Walgreens and Rite Aid, the retail pharmacy chain’s revamp of its beauty department could signal that CVS has another type of competitor in mind. Will CVS’s BeautyIRL prove successful in helping the chain attract younger consumers? 

Tiffany, which has faced challenges attracting Millennials, is planning an extensive renovation of its 57th Street flagship. How should Tiffany’s flagship be reinvented for the Millennial generation?

If you want to buy baby clothes in J.C. Penney stores, it’s no problem, but for a variety of other baby products you needed to go to jcpenney.com. Soon, however, you will be able to go to one of 500 Penney stores and pick up all the above. What do you make of the assertion that competitors are “underestimating the importance of a physical in-store baby shop”?

One of the criticisms of J.C. Penney during former Apple executive Ron Johnson’s disastrous tenure as CEO was that it moved away from its older core customers too quickly before developing a brand identity that attracted younger shoppers. Do you agree with the criticism that J.C. Penney’s business has been hurt because previous management lost sight of its core older customer?

Sales of pet products are on the rise and Millennials are leading the charge. Out of the 72 percent of Millennials that own pets, 67 percent consider these pets their “fur-babies” and treat them like their children. Why do you think so many Millennials lavish spending on their pets the way they do?

AriZona Iced Tea, founded in Brooklyn in 1992 as a value proposition to the initial craze around Snapple, last weekend opened a streetwear-themed pop-up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. What made AriZona Iced Tea’s pop-up Instagram-worthy?

When Harry’s and Target announced the deal that brought the shaving product’s brand into the retailer’s stores, it was positioned as a meeting of kindred spirits. It appears, nearly two years later, that Harry’s has met yet another friend. How will making Harry’s products available in Walmart affect Target’s business with the brand?

The Gap announced earlier this month that it will close its only wedding line, Weddington Way. The news arrived about a week after H&M launched its first online wedding shop. Are Millennials recasting the retail opportunity for wedding dresses and gifts?

Recent start-ups are connecting with Millennials and Gen Z in ways that might shock and impress traditional chain store owners. The ability to adapt to trends before one’s competitors is increasingly important. How prepared are large brands and retailers to identify generational trends?

Online selling has taken its toll on the selling of guitars. But the CEO of Gibson Guitars believes the in-store experience at music stores is also partly to blame. Do you see ways music stores can reimagine in-store selling and online engagement to help revive the electric guitar and overall instrument category?

Marketers need to stop treating Millennials — who ranging from college co-eds to minivan driving parents — all the same, argues Maritz Motivation Solutions in a new report. Should brands and retailers target sub-segments of Millennials rather than the entire generation?

In a partnership with WeWork and LinkedIn, J.Crew is hosting a panel discussion series featuring the “next generation of entrepreneurs and goal-getters,” selling items inside some WeWork locations and featuring WeWork members in an ad campaign. Will J.Crew’s partnership with WeWork and LinkedIn help the brand connect with and relate to Millennial workers?

While Millennials overwhelmingly claim to embrace sustainability, eco-friendly fashion items rank far down on their list of purchase drivers, according to a survey from LIM College. What do you think explains the contradictions between Millennials’ stated passions around sustainable practices and their actual buying behavior?

According to 2017 data from the digital resale platform ThredUP, consignment and resale apparel sales are on the rise. Secondhand apparel is already an $18 billion industry, but the resale biz is projected to keep growing by 11 percent annually to reach $33 billion by 2021. How will the growth of resale and consignment affect mainstream retail brands?

With many relying on basic $5 or $6 meals such as chicken, a scoop of mashed potatoes and green beans to drive prepared foods sales, grocers aren’t doing enough to take share from restaurants. Do you agree that a significant upgrade in prepared food offerings would pay off for grocers?

Tying online advertising to in-store behavior isn’t easy, but Albertsons is working on it. The grocer is rolling out a solution for CPG brands that sell in its stores to give them feedback on how their digital ads are performing. Will Albertsons’ solution succeed in helping CPG brands improve sales in the grocer’s stores?

While many retailers view Amazon.com as a competitive threat to be fought at every turn, others have found benefits in co-opetition — competing with the e-tail giant on one hand while taking advantage of the site’s traffic to sell on its marketplace. One case in point is The Children’s Place. Do you generally come down on the side of competition or co-opetition when it comes to Amazon?

A subsidiary of Walmart headed by Rent the Runway founder Jennifer Fleiss called Code Eight is testing a personal shopping service, according to Recode. What does Code Eight indicate about Walmart’s ambitions and does the personal shopping initiative make sense?

A new report from Cadent Consulting suggests private label dollar share could swell as much as eight points to 25.7 percent by 2027 thanks to the influence of Amazon/Whole Foods, Aldi, Lidl and other factors. How can food retailers best take advantage of the trend?

Millennials don’t view eating as a utilitarian function. Akin to how a person’s car or clothing says a lot about them, the Millennial generation sees the food they eat as an extension of their self-image. Why aren’t grocers taking better advantage of the phenomenon of food being photographed by smartphones and displayed across social media?