Research Topic

Study: Targeting Hispanics worthwhile for grocery retailers
Hispanic shoppers enjoy grocery shopping significantly more than the average U.S. consumer, in part, because they consider the experience a social endeavor, according to a new study from Acosta Sales & Marketing and Univision, “The Why? Behind the Buy U.S. Hispanic Shopper Study.”
The 15 coolest spots in urban retail
If you want to ferret out the hottest new concepts in retailing, head to the coolest streets in the city, not the suburban mall. So states a new report from Cushman and Wakefield, which rated the 100 hippest and edgiest neighborhoods in America based on assessments from its brokers, appraisers, and property managers nationwide.

NRF backs reduction in corporate tax rate

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting a tax reform proposal released today by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas.
How to Unlock the Value of Your Boomer Associates

Every seven seconds, a Baby Boomer turns 50. Boomers represent a substantial and critical employee demographic for retailers. The retail trade industry in the U.S. employs 15 million people, or nearly 10% of the workforce, and approximately 38% of this workforce is over the age of 50.
Study: Back-to-school forecast looks sunny

Many kids are just starting their summer vacations, but back-to-school shopping is well underway.
Amazon inches closer to the top in another category

Watch out Best Buy, the nation’s largest ecommerce retailer is on your tail. According to a report by barrons.com, Amazon has moved ahead of Walmart to take the number two spot, behind Best Buy, as the nation’s largest electronics retailer.
NRF: Swipe fees protect consumers

Retail group argues for debit card swipe fee regulations. The National Retail Federation said Congress should reject a proposal from the head of the House Financial Services Committee to repeal a cap on debit card swipe fees. According to the NRF, the fees have saved consumers billions of dollars over the past five years.
Group predicts new overtime regs will result in freezes, layoffs

The National Retail Federation on Thursday pointed a dire outcome if the new overtime regulations are implemented as is. The NRF told the House Small Business Committee that the new regulations will lead to hiring freezes and layoffs for full-time workers if enacted as planned December 1. “Proponents of this rule have touted the changes as a welcomed job creator,” NRF senior VP for government relations David French said. “These claims are riddled with partial truths.”
Survey: So far, so good for 2016

Retail tenants are not only reporting a strong performance for the year so far, but are also optimistic about the next six months.
Q&A: Wayfair travels ahead of the IT curve

Chain Store Age recently visited Wayfair Next, the in-house innovation lab in the Boston headquarters of online home furnishings retailer Wayfair Inc.

Steven Conine, co-founder of Wayfair and Mike Festa, director of Wayfair Next, discussed the lab’s mission and the importance of innovation in retail.
Decision to close stores becomes more complicated for retailers

Some things are easier said than done. And increasingly, that notion applies to closing stores. Although analysts and investors say that retail companies need to continue to shrink their store portfolios, the decision to do has become increasingly complex for merchants, many of whom have already shed their most unprofitable locations, according to a CNBC report.
Nimble small- to mid-level retailers steal share from larger, traditional chains

Think online is the biggest challenge traditional retailers face? Think again.