Strategy

Aaron Brothers uses big data to help develop new prototype

Framing and arts supplies retailer Aaron Brothers is reinventing its stores with a new design that celebrates artistic expression and the creative process. The space, which has an urban, modern look, recalls an artist's loft and is set up to provide shoppers with all the tools they need to make better-informed decisions.

Oklahoma City – Hobby Lobby has received permission from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to continue its challenge of the federal mandate requiring for-profit employers to offer certain types of birth control coverage as part of their employee health care plans. As a result, Hobby Lobby will at least temporarily avoid having to start paying millions of dollars in fines for non-compliance next week.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sports Authority has appointed Michael Foss as the company’s new CEO, following Darrell Webb’s announcement that he is retiring as CEO and chairman of the board. 

Columbus, Ohio - The Affiliated Business Group (ABG), a division of DSW Inc., will exclusively supply the footwear departments of all U.S. Loehmann’s stores and the loehmanns.com e-commerce site. The initial rollout of the news arrangement is expected to commence in a few stores starting December, 013 with the balance of the chain and e-commerce launching in the first quarter of 2014. ABG will plan, procure, and deliver the entire women's and men's footwear inventory, while Loehmann’s will provide staffing for the shoe departments.

WASHINGTON — Shop.org has elected six new members to its board of directors and re-elected three. Each member will serve a two-year term. 

The new members are Elaine Boltz, SVP of e-commerce, the TJX companies; Jill Braff, EVP of digital commerce, HSNi, Ivy Chin, SVP of e-commerce and omnichannel digital, Belk; Jason Goldberg, VP of commerce strategy, Razorfish; Kasey Lobaugh, principal and chief retail innovation officer, Deloitte Consulting; and Matthew Kaness, chief strategy officer, Urban Outfitters.

Price, location and selection fade as real differentiators

Remember when retail gurus used to say that when it came down to it, retail strategy was all about location, location, location? Location still matters, but not as much as it used to. With the explosion of online retail, brick-and-mortar retail strategies are changing. But it's not just location that has receded in importance. Price and selection don't matter as much anymore either.

Benicia, Calif. -- Cycle Gear Inc. opened its second Illinois store in Tinley Park, a suburb just south of Chicago.

The motorcycle apparel and accessories chain operates about 100 stores nationwide.

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Land O'Lakes has promoted Mike Macrie to the position of VP and chief information officer. Macrie replaced Barry Libenson, who after running IT for three years, left the company to be CIO at Safeway. 

Macrie joined Land O'Lakes in 2010 as VP and senior director of Ag Services IT.