Strategy

Welcome to the Web Rue21. The operator of nearly 1,000 stores nationwide has joined the ranks of virtually every other retailer and now sells products via the Internet.

The specialty apparel retailer focused on teens and young adults on Friday announced the launch of their online shopping site Rue21.com.

Leiden, Netherlands – Ikea is deploying a standardized, comprehensive and internationally deployed POS software platform from Wincor-Nixdorf. During the next two years, Ikea will install nearly 12,000 POS terminals at 300 stores in 25 countries using Wincor Nixdorf’s TP Application Suite and TP.net software.

Record downloads of its app and North American revenue growth have Groupon feeling good about mobile initiatives and its ongoing evolution from a provider of daily deals via email to a full bore e-commerce marketplace.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Holding Corporation is launching a number of enhancements to the in-store, online and mobile customer experience offered at its Sears and Kmart banners for the holidays.

Employees and Shop Your Way loyalty members are loading photos, announcing secret sales and sharing their favorite products from local Kmart and Sears stores on the local store pages of ShopYourWay.com. Store pages also allow customers to download e-coupons and obtain local deals.

Hammer & Nails — The Nail Shop for Guys has opened its debut location in Los Angeles, on Melrose Avenue. The new concept offers men a handsome, more customized—and more comfortable— alternative to female-centric nail salons.

Leading Internet grocer Peapod and supermarket chain Giant Food Stores have opened a new fulfillment center in Coopersburg, Pa.

"Peapod by Giant has seen exciting growth in the Philadelphia area and we are delighted to partner with our sister grocer, Peapod, to expand service to additional zip codes in the Giant trade area," said Rick Herring, president. "As always, we will strive to provide a wide selection of well-priced, top quality, fresh products with the ease of online shopping and home delivery."

Atlanta – The Home Depot is taking steps to make amends for a racist tweet it sent from its official account on Nov. 7. The tweet, a promotion aligned with ESPN college football coverage, showed a photo of two African-Americans playing the drums along with a person wearing a gorilla mask and the caption: “Which drummer is not like the others?”

Greg Saputo has spent a career in retail loss prevention and in the latest installment of the National Retail Federation’s video series, “This Is Retail,” he reflects on the first time he caught a shoplifter.