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Rise of the Anti-Amazon Networks

As Amazon closes in on estimates it will account for half of all online retail sales by 2021, networks that forge alliances among non-Amazon players have sprung up. I'm really curious how many more there will be and the extent to which Amazon-indoctrinated consumers will adopt them.

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Piecing Together Retail's Dark Headlines

I'm not usually one to wallow in the doom and gloom angles of retail. But writing about an evergreen retail topic or recent store visit right now would seem to be ignoring the elephant in the dressing room. The 89,000 U.S. retail workers who have been laid off since October outnumber all of the people employed in the U.S. coal industry

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analysis Andrea Wasserman analysis Andrea Wasserman

Retail for Humans

"Technology is dramatically changing the retail landscape, but one thing remains the same: Retail is about providing high-quality, engaging experiences for customers. Human customers..."

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5 Answers to 'What's up with retail?'

About weekly, I get this question from someone who sees the headlines but doesn't follow US retail - specifically the fashion segment of the industry - closely. Without spewing a lot of stats, I usually touch on some or all of the following.

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A Singles Day Primer

As I've told people I'm heading to China this week for "Singles Day", I've found I need to remind some what this holiday - also known as "11.11" - is. 

Below you'll find:

1. What I'm most excited to learn more about in Shenzhen

2. Key quotes from Alibaba's earnings conference call last week

Throughout, I'm linking to recent articles about 11.11, Alibaba and its competitors.

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Retail's Online Traffic Problem

The shift in shopping traffic from Google and individual retail sites to Amazon obviously is a concerning one for retailers and brands of all sizes. So retailers need a new way to reach app-immersed consumers when a specific purchase is likely, but not yet underway. This is called contextual commerce and Button is doing it.

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