Strategy

Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck is refocusing the 3,000-store company on the areas with the biggest potential for driving growth — and they do not include its oldest divisions.   “We’re certainly not giving up on Gap or Banana [Republic], but we’re acknowledging the world continues to change,” Peck said in an interview with Bloomberg.  “And those are the two most mature brands in the portfolio.”  

British supermarket giant Tesco puts a friendlier and more contemporary spin on its hypermarket format at its revamped store in Swansea, Wales.   The new format, developed by Swedish design firm Blink in collaboration with Tesco's in-house team and corporate identity group Wolff Olins, offers innovative digital services, a more personal approach and simplified shopping for different needs. The remodeled store, which opened in June, is delivering a significantly higher profit, according to Blink.    

Oregon passed Senate Bill 828, known as the “Fair Work Week” law, last month. This law requires foodservice, retail and hospitality employers to give hourly workers reliable work week schedules upon hire, maintain a voluntary list of standby employees to address unanticipated customer needs or unexpected employee absences, and provide their workers with advance notice of schedule changes.  

Despite the ramping up of global data regulations, most consumers are concerned about how companies collect and use their information.   In fact, an overwhelming 96% of consumers are "somewhat" to "extremely" concerned about data collection and usage. This is understandable, as more than 75% engage in digital payment transactions at least once a month.  

Even headquarters have shelf life.   Walmart is planning to build a new, central headquarters — one better suited to a "digitally native" workforce — in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. The discount giant revealed the news in a note by CEO Doug McMillion on the company's website.   

The Tile Shop has expanded its presence in greater Detroit with the opening of its sixth metro store in Troy.    The new location features 14,750 sq. ft. of showroom space and over 4,000 tile designs for consumers and the professional trade. It also features more than 30 fully decorated displays providing design inspiration  

The president and CEO of Macy's, Jeff Gennette, and Google's president of global partnerships, Daniel Alegre, will be among the headliners at Shoptalk 2018, the nex-gen retail and e-commerce event.   Also on the bill: Alon Cohen, president and co-founder of Houzz, the home furnishings and design site. Shoptalk's final agenda will feature more than 400 speakers, an increase of 25% over 2017’s event.  

Early signs from retailers indicate a hot job market for workers this holiday season.    Despite store closures and consolidation within the industry, retailers are signaling that there might be high demand for seasonal jobs, according to a forecast from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.   

Office supply retailer Office Depot has tapped a 30-year marketing veteran to lead its marketing efforts.    Office Depot announced that Jerri DeVard has been appointed executive VP and chief marketing officer. She will report directly to Office Depot CEO Gerry Smith.  

A patent that changed how customers make purchases online has expired — and opened up new opportunities for competitors.   The “1-Click” patent filed by Amazon in 1997, expired Tuesday. As a result, any brand can now feature this functionality on their own e-commerce site, according to C-Net.