Winner – Fortune: Michelle Gass is cracking the code at Kohl’s
- Contributor – Phil Wahba
- Judges’ Comments – Much has been written about the Amazon effect on brick-and-mortar retailers, but Phil Wahba at Fortune found a fresh angle on the battle for consumers. Kohl’s new CEO Michelle Gass is changing strategies at all levels, such as precise inventory tracking and beefing up beauty sales with pricier Ralph Lauren Polo fragrances. Wahba took us along as Gass did her own consumer research: watching a busy mother return competitor Amazon orders — “brick-and-mortar kryptonite” — at her local Kohl’s store. The rationale is the shopper will linger and spend money at Kohl’s after returning Amazon goods. This story is a fine example of combining a CEO profile with a corporate strategy story to “put a face on” a trend that has shuttered so many retailers.
Honorable Mention – Chicago Tribune: Sears’ demise
- Contributor – Lauren Zumbach
- Judges’ Comments – Lauren Zumbach delivers a smart, in-depth story that did far more than convey the daily news of Sears’ bankruptcy. She followed up with a feature explaining what’s ahead for the legendary Chicago-based retailer.
