Strategy

The online space doesn’t have a lock on new retail concepts, but with its lower start-up costs and potential audience reach it has proved itself a great breeding ground for disruptive retailers.   Here’s a look at four innovative e-tailers that are generating buzz and revenue increases — enough to place them among the top 15 fastest-growing e-retailers in a recent study.*   Casper

Amazon Books is headed to Hudson Yards, the massive redevelopment underway on New York’s west side, according to a report in the New York Post.   The online retailer debuted its bricks-and-mortar retail format last November, at University Village in Seattle, and is set to open a second location, in San Diego, this summer. A third location, at Washington Square Mall, in Tigard, Oregon, is expected to open this fall. The Hudson Yards location would be Amazon’s East Coast beachhead.  

A 30-year industry veteran is taking day-to-day control of the Oracle Retail global business unit.   Oracle has appointed Ray Carlin as senior VP and general manager, Oracle Retail. Carlin will be responsible for leading the Oracle Retail global business unit and report to Mike Webster, Oracle’s senior VP and general manager, retail and hospitality.  

Since taking over as CIO of Target Corp. in February 2015, Mike McNamara has been aggressively developing a new operational model for IT. 

  Photo: Matt Middlebrook   Heralding it as first for real estate development companies, Caruso Affiliated CEO Rick Caruso announced the formation of a Strategic Development and Innovations division focused on helping retailers harness new technologies serve a complex and fluid customer base.  

The people have spoken – and they like limits on debit card swipe fees the way they are.  

Amazon is bringing its bookstore concept to one of the largest retail projects to ever open in Manhattan.   The online giant is planning to open a bookstore and cafe at Hudson Yards, the massive retail, commercial and residential space being developed by Related Cos. and Oxford Properties Group, the New York Post reported.     Click here to read more.

Restaurants have long served as critical components in the experiential equation of Steiner + Associates town centers. “Eating out is in,” said Yaromir Steiner. “Whether it is a chef-driven concept or a fast-casual restaurant, dining is an inherently social activity that elevates the destination status of a community, drives traffic and captures coveted discretionary dollars.

It is a synergy evident in many of the restaurant concepts that call Steiner + Associates’ projects home, as exemplified by The Northstar Café.

Retailers should do their homework now and make a plan for the future

Today, retailers and end-users face many changes in regard to refrigerants, including technology options and efficiency regulations. In the past, choices were made and remained applicable for a year or more.

From convenient access to reduced heating costs, automatic doors provide retailers with some key benefits.