A SAMPLING of my recent commentary on RetailWire:

• Nordstrom crushes inventory optimization

  

  As you wisely observe, Gene, retail is very much about PACE. Those who turn the money fastest tend to win. Excess inventory is cash moving so slowly that it actually shrinks. With its quick decisions, it seems like Nordstrom has won the current round of inventory "hot-potato," leaving m...

• Do retailers need ‘trickle up economics’ to beat COVID-19?

  

  This one makes my blood boil a little -- not because regular folks didn't need the lifeline from the stimulus checks, but because the economists actually believed they would spend the cash on cars and other high-ticket items! If recent experiences prove anything it is this: Those pundits need...

• Should Apple and other stores require shopper temperature checks?

  

  Let's stipulate that a front door temperature check provides a less-than-statistically-perfect indicator of latent infection. Does that completely negate its value? I think not: <ul> <li>It will reduce (not eliminate) the likelihood of viral transmission. Since pandemic control i...

• New marketing analytics for a new COVID-19 reality

  

  This is a very important discussion -- not only for advertising and promotion decision makers, but also for any professional who is trying to map a path forward in merchandising, category management, fulfillment, even store operations. There is no choice but to hit the reset button on most of ...

• The new normal will look a lot like the old normal

  

  Nothing feels quite "normal" in retail at this moment, but I mostly agree with Warren's premise that many fundamentals will return in the months to come. Still, the pandemic is a bell that cannot be un-rung, and I would expect some business practices and shopper behaviors to exhibit ...

• The new normal will look a lot like the old normal

  

  I'm Bob on this one, Ken. The surge in online grocery ordering has exposed its inadequacies. For many new e-commerce shoppers it has been a bad first impression.There may be some tailwind, but I'd caution strategic planners not to assume too much....

• Are Amazon’s at-cost face shields an act of goodwill or predatory behavior?

  

  While it's not inappropriate to examine every move Amazon makes with a skeptical eye, I'd give their face-shields initiative a moderately positive review. So long as the company is focusing distribution on healthcare entities, I'm fine with their at-cost pricing. Those folks need PPE and I'm fine...