Plus ça change

As the irresistible machine of competitive pressures trundles on, it is no surprise that retailers are scrambling to shore up the weaknesses that they perceive in their rearguard action against the rise of the e-tailer, no matter how suspect the financial metrics of the new measures, be they same-day delivery, the ever-advancing Christmas sale season or technology-augmented shopping.

It is also no surprise that as the mobile platform is increasing eating into the media consumption mix, both marketers and media platforms are grappling with its baffling economics, even as they well be on the way to cooking their own golden goose.

Taps for retail

Even the stalwart Forbes is now facing the impending doom of the traditional retail landscape. Like it or not, and landlords should take note, the mall and shopping center are about to become transformed from a place of shopping to a, likely very much smaller, venue for showrooming, dining, entertainment and convenience groceries.

The time is coming for mall owners to begin working entitlements for residential conversion. Of course, given recent home ownership trends, apartments should be top on the agenda.

Mobilizing shopping

In further news bound to be bad news for offline retailers and their landlords, not only is mobile commerce growing by leaps and bounds, but -- especially if the instant-delivery services now re-entering the market manage to remain in business this time -- their demise may be sooner than we had expected.

Transformational retail

We have all been expecting mobile shopping to become an important part of the retail mix, and the latest figures do not disappoint.

It may indeed be the future of the retail store to be nothing more than a showroom. Perhaps it is time for traditional retailers to consider the implications.

Circular advertising grows up

It was inevitable that the familiar circular ad from your local retailer would find its way onto the Web -- we just did not know the form that it would take.

The verdict is beginning to come in now, and Facebook is the early leader, taking away one more source of revenue for newspapers and bulk mailers and digitalizing yet another aspect of the purchasing experience.

Without a doubt, bringing circulars into the social media environment creates a richer viral platform for the brick-and-mortar retailers. Still, online competition is not sleeping at the wheel, and we should expect them to respond by aggressive advertising placed near and around the store ads. Let the games begin.