Shop.org Think Tank to discuss role of digital in retail

The Shop.org Think Tank collaborates to identify and develop points of view on trends, business models, technologies and strategies that will shape the future of online retail and the role of digital in retail.

The group is led by Shop.org’s Executive Director Vicki Cantrell and Sur La Table Vice President of e-Commerce Kevin Ertell, who serves as chairman of the Think Tank.

In addition to convening on a regular basis to discuss and debate issues as they relate to digital retail, the group will regularly produce analysis for the Shop.org community and industry events, including a quarterly white paper.

“Shop.org is excited to bring together such an extraordinary team of visionaries,” said Cantrell. “One of our top goals is to ensure that we tap this terrific ‘brain trust’ for their insights and experience to benefit our members and communities. Through ongoing collaboration and feedback, this group explores the strategies and technologies that are shaping the future of our industry, one issue at a time.”

In its first published white paper, “Same-Day Delivery – Should It Be a Priority for Your Business?” the Think Tank analyzes why retailers must switch their thinking on same-day delivery from “can I do it?” to “should I do it?”.

The paper suggests a series of strategic and tactical questions for retailers to consider when contemplating customer demand as well as logistical and competitive factors involved in launching same-day delivery service.

“The digital retail landscape is constantly changing and evolving at a rapid pace. We hope our diverse group of highly experienced, strategic leaders can consistently discuss, debate, and share our thoughts on the thorniest of issues in order to help our members think about the effect of these issues on their own organizations,” said Ertell.

“Analyzing the many considerations and questions around same-day delivery, an issue many retailers are grappling with right now, has already been both thought-provoking and immensely rewarding.”

Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation, is the world's leading membership community for digital retail. Shop.org offers thought leadership with original and curated research, and gold standard events. The community is made up of networking groups and committees, and provides innovative insight on e-commerce and the overall role digital plays in multichannel retailing.

National Retail Federation