Store Associates

In episode 342 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ron Thurston, Amazon.com No. 1 best-selling author of "RETAIL PRIDE: The Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career" and veteran retail executive. Thurston discusses his career history in the retail industry, what he loves about working in the retail space, and how the frontline store…

The pandemic has changed our shopping habits for the foreseeable future, with customers expecting flexible ways to purchase items, including curbside pickup, same-day delivery and, of course, a good old-fashioned in-store shopping experience. These options are great for customers, and the flexibility gives them more control to shop in a way that best fits their…

There were a host of difficulties plaguing retailers this past holiday season, including inventory shortages, production issues and shipping constraints, to name a few. The most notable shortage, however, was on the labor front. As of July 2021, the number of retail job openings peaked at 1.2 million, compared to 876,000 during the same period…

Whatever convenience e-commerce provides, it can never replace the in-person shopping experience. Therefore, it’s no surprise that consumers are returning to brick-and-mortar shops as the economy slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and more retailers offer in-store shopping. How Does This Impact the Retail Industry? Increased consumer traffic could lead to a new outbreak if…

The past 18 months have reshaped many industries, especially retail. As consumer expectations continue to evolve and many expect a spike in online shopping as we move forward with the recovery period, retailers will need to meet consumers where they are at, which will rely heavily on the workforce composition and the role of the…

The tide is turning in retail. Despite staff and supply shortages that may burden shoppers and encumber stores during the holiday season, signs of growing optimism for the future abound. While last year the industry underwent a scourge of bankruptcies and closures, mid-year predictions suggest store openings could surpass store closings for the first time…

In episode 323 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Andre Persaud, chief retail officer of Rite Aid, the trusted, everyday care connector operating over 2,500 retail pharmacy locations across 17 U.S. states. Persaud discusses Rite Aid's RxEvolution strategy, how the business is redesigning the in-store experience for its customers, and the internal cross-functional…

COVID-19 created a shakeup for retailers in all categories across the U.S., with brick-and-mortar operations undergoing some of the most significant operational changes they've ever faced. Sales associates have also felt the brunt of those changes; they've been asked to risk their health and press onward while the rest of us have enjoyed — if…

There may still be some uncertainty when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, but one thing is certain: The 2020 holiday shopping season was an anomaly, and this year is going to look a lot different. According to eMarketer, U.S. holiday retail sales are expected to increase 2.7 percent to $1.093 trillion in 2021. While…

The food and grocery retail industry has changed dramatically in recent years, from new competitors through new channels to new consumer preferences, and that's to say nothing of the impact of COVID. Big-box grocery retailers are under increasing pressure to deliver an ever-more personalized experience on choice and value while maintaining availability for the many…