Stephan's Thursday Picks

• Technology in retail: Escaping the complexity trap (Bain)
• Ralph Lauren invites everybody to return to (his) office (NYT)
• Walmart takes on Trader Joe's and Whole Foods with new premium brand (WSJ)
• How did Black Forest cake become the world's favourite dessert (NYT)
• More stores are ditching self-checkout amid theft and customer complaints (CBC)