Marketing

The Retail Design Institute’s most prestigious event is returning to New York.    The Institute will hold its 46th Annual Design Awards Gala & Fundraiser at Current at Chelsea Piers, overlooking the Hudson River and Chelsea Piers marina, on May 24, 2017, from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate Best in Class Design projects from around the world, and also the winner of the coveted Store of the Year award. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Institute's 2017 Student Design Competition Prize Fund.  

As retailers continue to navigate challenging conditions, they need to ensure their people strategies and pay programs are flexible and supportive, not ridged and dated. What follows are different approaches to working through some of the difficult, but necessary, steps to improving retail pay programs to fit the basic actions some retailers must now take.    Being Proactive Not Reactive

There’s been a shakeup at Bon-Ton Stores.   The department store retailer announced that Kathryn Bufano, president and CEO, will leave the company when her contract expires on August 25. She will be succeeded by William Tracy, currently the retailer’s COO. He will be Bon-Ton’s fourth chief executive since 2012.   

The free shipping wars seem to be heating up again.   In a posting on its website, Amazon said it has lowered its free shipping minimum for non-Prime members on eligible items to $25. Merchandise will be delivered in five to eight business days.   It’s the second time this year that Amazon has made it easier for shoppers to qualify for free shipping. In February, the online giant reduced its minimum order amount from $49 to $35.   

Party City on Tuesday announced earnings and revenue that topped expectations, and said it would launch an online marketplace for party services.  

Sarah Jessica Parker is expanding her brick-and-mortar retail business.   The actress, producer, and designer will open her second freestanding store, in Las Vegas. The SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker store will be located at the Bellagio Resort & Casino and open this summer.   

An office supplies giant is taking steps to tighten up its data security strategies.   Staples named Brett Wahlin as its chief information security officer (CISO), responsible for global enterprise-wide information, product and data security. He will report to chief technology officer Faisal Masud, who leads Staples Digital Solutions, a new organization within the company that combines its traditional IT and digital organizations.  

The past couple of years have been busy ones for Coach. The company has undertaken a turnaround of its main brand, successfully bringing back a premium edge to what had become a ubiquitous and devalued name. Coach has also integrated the Stuart Weitzman business by both extracting operating efficiencies and creating new sales opportunities.  

A formerly troubled center in an affluent community south of Los Angeles has capped off an 18-month, $17 million renovation.   Just two years ago, The Vestar-owned Peninsula Center in Rolling Hills Estates was plagued by several vacancies and an image not in keeping with standards in the community, which has a median household income of $144,000.   Today Orchard Supply Hardware and Ulta Beauty occupy the made-over center, along with new dining options Chipotle and The Habit Burger Grill.  

Coach has acquired a brand with a strong following among millennials.   The luxury handbag company on Monday announced that it will acquire Kate Spade & Company for $18.50 per share in cash, which represents a premium of 9% to Kate Spade's closing price on Friday. The deal, which has a total transaction value of $2.4 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017 and add to adjusted earnings in fiscal 2018.