Strategy

To keep up the pace of its growth — and continue delivering merchandise to the right location at the right time — The Aldo Group is adding a new supply chain platform.   The footwear brand operates a complex omnichannel supply chain that supports wholesale customers, franchise and company-owned retail locations, as well as its direct-to-consumer operations. This requires enterprise-wide visibility, as well as the flexibility to anticipate, plan for and respond to changing consumer preferences.  

Off-price giant TJX Cos. stands to gain traffic from the planned shutterings of select Macy’s and Kmart stores this year.    A study by Foursquare indicates that T.J. Maxx will gain traffic from Kmart store closings, while Marshalls will benefit from Macy’s closings, reported Boston Business Journal. Both banners are owned by TJX Cos.  

Warby Parker is making a big commitment to brick-and-mortar.    The hip eyewear retailer plans to open at least 25 stores this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.   The new locations, planned for Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and other cities, are expected to bring Warby Parker’s total store count to about 70 by year end.    The stores will range in size and include freestanding as well as mall locations, the report said. 

Wolverine World Wide announced the appointment of Todd Spaletto as president of the Wolverine outdoor and lifestyle group.   Spaletto will lead the growth of the Merrell, Chaco, CAT, Hush Puppies, and Sebago brands around the world. He brings 23 years of experience in branded apparel and footwear, and most recently served as president of The North Face, where he led the growth of this industry-leading global brand for six years.   

Gap Inc. reported higher than expected sales for January and the fourth quarter, fueled by strong increases at Old Navy.    The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period ended January 28, 2017 increased 2% to $828 million.    Total same-store sales for the month rose 1%, led by a 3% gain in the namesake brand and a 2% increase at Old Navy. The ailing Banana Republic continued to slump, with a 4% decrease.   

Eastern Outfitters, the parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.     The company listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million in its filing        British sporting goods retailer Sports Direct International has engaged in extensive talks with Eastern Outfitters to become a stalking-horse bidder in a bankruptcy auction, Reuters reported.    

A report has Amazon considering its next foray into the grocery segment, but in a manner that would require very little human intervention.      Amazon is reportedly contemplating a two-story, automated supermarket that would feature a staff of robots on the second floor that fulfill orders for shoppers waiting on the main level, according to The New York Post.  

Apple is going really big in Manhattan.   The retailer is expanding its flagship at the General Motors building on Fifth Avenue from its current 32,000-sq.-ft. to over 77,000 sq. ft. The Apple space is renowned for the glass cube located on the street level.    While the store is undergoing the expansion, Apple has temporarily moved into a space in the building that was formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz.     

Starbucks Corp.’s plan to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years (in its stores in 75 countries around the globe) has proved to be one of the socially progressive retailer’s most controversial moves to date.   The initiative, a response to President Trump’s executive order barring refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, has many conservatives and Trump supporters calling for a boycott of the coffee chain.   

Dick’s Sporting Goods will be relocating one of its stores in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, metro to space formerly inhabited by Sears at PREIT’s Capital City Mall.