A SAMPLING of my recent commentary on RetailWire:

• Is Kroger’s pick-up only store a solution for grocers now and in the future?

  

  I'm not too keen on converting existing supermarket locations into pickup-only stores. I suspect the real estate (locations and physical proportions) are a bad fit in the majority of instances. As an experiment, however, the Kroger location in Cincinnati will likely yield a wealth of learning....

• The coronavirus outbreak has shifted the online competitive landscape

  

  Deep online deals smell of desperation, not consumer value. Retailers who are going way low may pick up a few sales, but to the lasting detriment of their price image. Face it: The hoarders and pantry loaders have invested most of their discretionary funds in TP and chicken noodle soup. The ou...

• Should retail associates be treated like frontline health responders?

  

  Absolutely yes. Stockers and checkers are essential personnel. Interacting with large numbers of shoppers poses a degree of risk at this time which must be recognized and mitigated to the extent possible. A little extra pay helps send a tangible message from employers. Even more important are ...

• The coronavirus will accelerate retail’s ‘collapse of the middle’

  

  While a cleansing of retail's "gene pool" may be a welcome outcome over the long term, the short-term pain will be catastrophic for many independent operators, franchisees, service businesses, and "non-essential" retailers. The fallout may be indiscriminate. By that I mean ...

• How will I pay my employees next month?

  

  I'd add one more suggestion for independent retailers and restaurateurs, following Patricia's excellent suggestions: Re-define your offering to fit the moment. Restaurateurs are shifting to prepared food take-out as table service has been suspended. Why not also assemble meal-kits for order/p...

• Costco is refusing returns on hoarded items

  

  I'm late, but still want to add my voice to this choir. Hoarders are #badcitizens who should not be rewarded for their selfishness. Costco is acting rightly in this instance....

• Retailers act to protect seniors from coronavirus shopping chaos and contamination

  

  We honor our elders by providing them with safe access to groceries and household necessities. Limiting elder shopping to just a couple of morning hours may not be entirely practical for all, however. Drive-up services can be made available at any day-part, leveraging existing click & col...