Corporate Governance

Toys ‘R’ Us testing AR to make stores digital playgrounds
Toys "R" Us is doubling down on its new brand positioning, “Today We Play.” The retailer announced it has begun testing an augmented reality app, called Play Chaser, in 23 stores nationwide, with a chainwide roll-out planned for Oct. 21. Developed in partnership with PlayFusion, the free app allows users to activate different AR mini games and play experiences on their smart device while in Toys "R" Us stores.
Canadian athletic wear retailer to make U.S. store debut
RYU Apparel is coming to the Big Apple. RYU (Respect Your Universe) announced plans to open a store in in the hip Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The 2,800-sq.-ft. store, the brand's first in the U.S., will open in the first quarter of 2018.

Toy retailer prepares for newest business channel — an online marketplace

Toys “R” Us is adding a new customer touch-point that it will use to get merchandise into shoppers hands faster.
At Home in Growth Mode

Someone forgot to tell At Home that big-box stores are passé. Or that a retailer needs to sell online to be successful.

Since Lee Bird took the reins as chief executive at the beginning of 2013, the Plano, Texas-based home decor superstore retailer has been on a steep upward trajectory — and it shows no signs of losing momentum anytime soon.
Dollar General to offer tuition assistance

Dollar General wants to make it easier for its employees to pursue higher education. In a newly announced partnership with Bellevue University, all full-time and part-time Dollar General employees now qualify for $8,000 and $5,250 respectively in tuition assistance after working at Dollar General for a minimum of 30 days. Plus, immediate family members of employees are eligible for up to $2,625, as well.
Regis Corp. to focus on value segment

The nation's leading salon operator has entered into a major transaction that will reshape its portfolio. Regis Corporation announced it has sold substantially all of its mall-based salon businesses in North America and entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its International segment to The Beautiful Group, an affiliate of Regent, who will operate them as the company’s largest franchisee.
Not Fake News

Fake news. Or, at the very least, over-exaggerated news. That’s what I call the reports about the death of retail. Retail sales are up $121.5 billion (through the first seven months of the year) and the holiday forecasts look promising, with Deloitte predicting a healthy 4 to 4.5% increase over last season.
AmazonBasics defines online giant’s private-label efforts

Private-label introductions are increasing on a seemingly daily basis, but Amazon-owned products are transforming the marketplace. This was according to “AmazonBasics Spearheads Amazon Private Brands,” research from One Click Retail.
Traditional grocers gaining ground with click-and-collection programs

The nation's supermarket retailers are positioning themselves to capture a significant majority of online grocery sales over the next decade or so. That's according to Joe McKeska, president of Elkhorn Real Estate Partners. He made his remarks during a panel discussion at Marquette University’s annual commercial real estate conference.
Thrift store chain goes ‘wireless’

Staying true to its “thrifty” roots, Savers has added a robust wireless solution without breaking the bank.
Developers: New centers warrant new co-tenancy clauses

With department stores being replaced by gyms and office space, retail tenants who signed on for the traffic generated by traditional anchors are of the opinion that the co-tenancy clauses in their leases need restructuring. At a forum staged by Jones Lang LaSalle at its New York office yesterday, two noted mall developers agreed.
Analysis: How acquisition of TaskRabbit will benefit Ikea

The acquisition of TaskRabbit allows Ikea to efficiently remove one key barrier (the dislike of furniture assembly) for a segment of customers that have until this point avoided Ikea.