According to Todd Hale, senior vice president, consumer analytics, ACNielsen U.S., the winners in the channel-blurring battle will be those that carve out a unique identity.
Grocery stores have the most to lose since all U.S. households utilize the channel.
It is no longer sufficient to just have the right products that consumers are looking for. Today, the same products can be found at a number of stores. The most successful chains are those that give their best customers more reasons to shop with them - whether it's linking their loyalty programs to those of other industries, such as airlines, or offering more personally tailored promotions. In 1997, consumers took 94 trips to the grocery store. Average basket ring went up just 1.2 percent in 1999.