Still, Bufano emphasized that “Let us find it” is only one way that Bon-Ton is trying to navigate the ongoing sea change in American shopping habits. Bon-Ton chains will begin their own “click-and-pick-it-up” programs next year, for instance. “And we need to be competitive in terms of our capabilities for servicing our customer,” she said. “We don’t feel our customers are exclusive to the department-store channel. They shop at different channels for different things so we need to have the capabilities to match what their needs are.
“Now, more than ever, the customer comes first, and the customer wants to shop when and how she wants, and we want to make sure we connect with her in many different ways.” It appears, however, that Bon-Ton and other retailers may not have to worry as much about one factor as the e-commerce revolution proceeds: “showrooming.” It was thought that this practice—in which consumers visit stores only to research articles and then order them online—helped lay low Best Buy. But new research suggests that actually a reverse phenomenon of showrooming is becoming more prevalent.
It’s called “webrooming,” or choosing and comparing products online but buying them at a physical store. An Accenture study showed that 78 percent of shoppers surveyed said they had webroomed during the previous 12 months. And it showed that the number of U.S. shoppers planning to visit physical stores rose from 9 percent a year earlier to 21 percent now.
Bufano and Bon-Ton will be doing their part to nudge that number higher.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
