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Tesco released a questionable apology ad because they used horse meat in their products which led to some legal and ethical issues.

After reading this article it made me think -- gee more and more companies that sell food need to focus on where their products come from! It is safe to say articles like these are sure to influence customers to be more conscious about where their food comes from.

I remember hearing about the horse meat scandal when I was in Spain, and I would have to agree with their point of how it affected everyones view of packaged meat. I am not even sure if Europe had problems with this, but the uproar from family and friends in the US made me think this was a world wide event. To piggy back off of Chipotle, I think the meat industry needs to look to better ways of improving meat quality and especially make an effort to voice these changes in product quality to consumers so there is trust again.

This article I feel gives a good grasp as to how technology has and will continue to adjust and change the retail industry.

I think this article is a good lead into the article posted about wifi usage being tracked. While some customers can feel theirrivacy is invaded, others really like the personalization that can be received as far as customer service. Technology is going to be a major rule in the future of retailing, or the future in general. With the amount of technology we have today, it seems that there will be no limits as to what we can do in the future, only limits on to what people will accept and partake in.

The newest Chipotle ad. A phenomenal example of Chipotles ability to highlight the unethical practices occurring within factory farming. It challenges the viewer to question the foods they eat and the corporations they support.

This commercial really makes you think as the consumer about the products you consume that are "farm fresh" without even giving it a second thought. It also brings up the idea that by eating at restaurants that use products that are from "factory farms" or by purchasing such products, then you are supporting their efforts in a way. This commercial makes you think twice, and it will have a lot of people thinking of Chipotle the next time they want Mexican on the go!

JCP failed to convince customers to buy at "everyday prices" so they decided to bring sales back. To do this, they marked up prices then marked them down however people ended up paying more than the "everyday prices" and there is evidence that proves it.

Very interesting article. It seems that JCP has changed their pricing strategy multiple times this year -- I think this strategy could possibly cause JCP to loose more customers. Marking up and down is a good strategy but not when existing customers know what specific items cost -- the worst is that JCP put higher price tags on top of low ones (as a customer I would just be offend and that alone would drive me to shop else where). I think JCP has driven customers to think they are getting ripped off rather than getting good prices and leading them to believe they are getting a bargain. I think it is a very common strategy used by retailers and I am not bothered by it but when I become fully aware of it -- that is a problem.

It makes me sad to think that companies are "tricking" us to get our business. I understand from a "marketing mindset" and psychological perspective that companies get us to think we are getting such a great deal when prices are slashed. Just like the article also mentioned, Kohls may do this too. They always make a conscience effort to circle (in red pen) the amount of money you saved today on our shopping trip. But that number fluctuates so much based on when there is Kohl's cash, 15-20% off mobile coupons, etc. They always make you think you got an amazing deal, when next week it could be even better...or worse.

Be sure you check out the two videos as well -

Technology never ceases to amaze me - how convenient for people who hate waiting in line. I agree that there is a HUGE security concern for retailers and consumers. I think there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed on all ends. It will be very interesting to see if this idea catches on or if retailers and consumers will continue shopping as they always have.

PayPal was a huge success online and I believe it will be a success in the stores too. I hate to wait in lines and if this shortens lines then I am all in. I agree with Sarah the security issue does worry me and needs to be tested and addressed before actual use. Once the security problems are fixed I firmly believe this with great enhance the customer experience and drive revenues in the retail industry.

This is really interesting to me that they would let someone go because of wearing a head scarf- I know that American brands like Abercrombie is really popular abroad- especially in Germany and Turkey where it is considered more of a luxury/high end product because of its American qualities. Abercrombie risks this image because many of their customers abroad, especially in those two regions are muslims and losing their support in the international market could harm their bottom line more then a dress code violation could.

This is awful, especially because the firing came from a district manager who should be trained better and just flat out ethical. While I was abroad I noticed how much Europeans loved Abercrombie and thought of it to be a very exclusive brand because to them it is fairly uncommon. I am glad their sales have decreased that much and if they continue to act like this and discriminate then they are going to go no where overseas.

This is just ridiculous and very embarrassing for Abercrombie. Honestly, I'm surprised their sales are not down more than 10%, but I have a feeling that they are going to keep decreasing if they continue to handle these situations the way that they have been.

I like it! I want to be recognized, greeted, and assisted if I need to be. I can see where some people may feel uncomfortable but employees should be trained when to know when a person wants more help or to be left alone.

I find this kind of stuff extremely interesting. I honestly like that stores can track me like this because this means that they are more likely to send coupons and deals my way for the things I want to buy. I also think this is a great way for stores to get the perfect layout of their store by seeing where certain demographics walk around.

This is significant because it has implications beyond just marketing to consumers. The question is, how far should we trespass into citizens (aka customers) rights in order to improve the customers experience? This isnt JUST another marketing ploy, it's an experiment in eroding consumer privacy... and it's working. Marketers realize how little consumers are informed of their own behavior and by association they realize lengths to which they can go. But as privacy erodes, what do we really gain? Sure, it's great they can send us coupons and build our customer profile, but did companies consult the consumer and get consent to do this? Is this data collection all passively done because companies know the taboo behind privacy issues? What does this type of intrusion open up in the future? I think this is seen as simply "the way things are" because we are all desensitized to businesses (and governments) violating the privacy of information. I would like to point out that historically when masses of people in power simply accept things the way they are that's when really really bad things happen (slavery, child labor, exploitation, etc). Passive accumulation of this information seems to me complicit with those who actively accumulate this information- they're both invasions. We must critically think about how allowing such invasions actually works to shape the physical and mental landscapes of our lives, are we actually prepared to deal with the consequences? So, while it may seem like this is just another marketing ploy, we instead should see this as actually another breach of private information which will continue to shape consumer behavior.