How Smart Is That?

It is very easy to complain about retail. People like complaining--they complain about the weather, the traffic and their taxes. Some retailers are natural-born complainers, other rise to meet the challenges.This is a blog devoted to not complaining. How smart is that?

*With a sluggish economy, and in an effort to drive sales and make customers feel better about shopping, Staples, Office Max and Office Depot are offering selected must-buy anyway products for a penny. A  Crayola 24-pack of crayons is just a penny? How smart is that?

*Fast-food establishments in New York are conspicuously posting calorie counts to let customers make informed decisions. At an additional 1,195 calories, I'll take that cheeseburger deluxe without the cheddar cheese fries please, and a side order of steamed vegetable medley. How  smart is that?

*Retailer Martin + Osa is encouraging customers to bring in their old clothing, ala "The Good Will," so that they can be recycled for the homeless. How smart is that?

*Always thinking green, San Francisco is outlawing those plastic tote bags so that customers get in the habit of carrying their canvas totes to take home their groceries. How smart is that?

*Cannon Europe hired Dr. Simoma F. Mainini, a Feng-Shui specialist to redo their corporate offices. Where they were experiencing rage and stress issues, she altered the environment by moving the furniture around, repainted, dropped in some plants, and now everyone is practically VBFs. How smart is that?

*Europe is banning size 0-4 mannequins and replacing them with size 8-12 models, sized like real, aka "average" customers. Despite what ill-informed mannequin designers warned, sales have increased. How smart is that?

*Retailers nationwide are promoting "green products," even dedicating departments and shops to promote the goods. How smart is that?

*With the pick-up in sales traffic, due to the cost of gas and traffic to the mall, Internet sites are beginning to reduce or eliminate shipping fees, so that customers are not set back financially. How smart is that?

*Always inspirational Designspotter.com culls the smartest designed products from all over the world. Check out the "Link  Mugs." How smart is that?

*Never judging a book by it's cover, Brooks Brothers has a state-of-the-art laser scanning booth that scientifically measures customers, so that clothing can be tailored down to the correct 1/8  of an inch. How smart is that?

*To pamper patrons, Whole Foods is introducing spa services, featuring hypo-allergenic, and not-tested on animals products into some of its locations, so that you can get a massage, pedicure, manicure or facial while shopping. How smart is that?

*Petco is partnering with Dog Whisperer Caesar Milan to introduce more than 100 new products like organic dog food and fortified water for your canine cutie. How smart is that?

What smart retailers and merchandising concepts do you know about? Do share.

--Ron Knoth, Guest Blogger

Comments

[kim sheehan]

In addition to being smart, these are all 'surprises' that customers aren't expecting, which make them even more noteworthy.