Strategy

Francesca's is turning to a merchandising veteran of Kohl's and Macy's to take over as the specialty retailer's new chief merchant.

The company announced it has named Laurie Hummel to the position of executive VP/chief merchandising officer, effective Nov. 30. She will report to Michael W. Barnes, the chairman, president, and CEO. Hummel will lead all merchandising, product development and vendor related supply chain functions.

Sporting goods retailer Gander Mountain has installed a new president to lead the company through its next phase of growth.

The company announced that Derek Siddons, executive VP and COO, will assume the role of president on the retirement of current president Michael J. Owens on Oct. 31.

Lowe’s is giving customers a full 3-D view of their home projects, at home as well as in the store.

Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the retailer’s proprietary technology development center, is updating its Holoroom technology and expanding its availability. Partnering with virtual reality technology provider Oculus VR and Google, Lowe’s has upgraded its Holoroom feature, which lets customers visualize how they could use tools and materials sold at Lowe’s.

Baseball’s great accidental philosopher Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” In the retail business, knowing where you’re going means understanding sales, inventory, promotions, pricing, and assortment.

Meijer is piloting a new approach to store lighting.

The retailer's remodeled store in Beavercreek, Ohio, is its first-ever location to feature 100% LED lighting. The LEDs, from GE, are expected to save more than a half million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

The new lighting is part of an extensive $50 million remodeling project that Meijer is undertaking at four supercenters in the Dayton market. According to Meijer, the GE LEDs deployed in the store are 30% more efficient than traditional lighting, with a 50% longer lifespan.

For most retailers, one store in Manhattan's Times Square is good enough. But not for Skechers.

Skechers USA has opened its second location in Times Square. The new outlet is located in the heart of the busy area, on what's known as the Bow Tie.

A retail real estate firm has confirmed that Target is in the final planning stages for two new stores in the Center City section of Philadelphia.

The two stores will be what the company calls a “flexible format Target,” which has a smaller footprint than a typical Target store and looks to fit into the (mostly urban) neighborhoods in which they are located.

German discount grocery chain Lidl has broken ground for a new regional U.S. headquarters and distribution center in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Build-A-Bear Workshop logged an increase in same store sales in the third quarter even as the company enters what is historically its most profitable season.

Same store sales at the specialty retailer increased 2.1% in the third quarter ended Oct. 3. This was the fifth consecutive quarter it grew same store sales.

Walmart wants to use drones to check warehouse inventory and assist with curbside pickup and delivery services, and has applied for permission from regulators to do so, according to CNBC. “Drones have a lot of potential to further connect our vast network of stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and transportation fleet,” company spokesman Dan Toporek told CNBC. “There is a Walmart within five miles of 70% of the U.S.