Research Topic

For many years, Black Friday sales promotions have defined the retail environment during the long Thanksgiving weekend. Despite evidence that Black Friday has lost some of its luster, it remains a very large shopping event and is actively contested by major retailers.

Indeed, according to the NRF, close to 102 million consumers shopped in brick-and-mortar stores over the Black Friday holiday weekend.

Michaels says its new marketing and merchandising strategies are resonating with customers, as the arts and crafts retailer reported an uptick in same-store sales for the third quarter.

The retailer said comps increased 3.1% in the period ended Oct. 31. Sales rose 3.4% to $1.17 billion. The company posted a profit of $76.8 million, or 37 cents per share, compared with $64.1 million, or 31 cents per share a year prior.

The chief executives of H&M, Gap Inc. and five other apparel companies are urging world leaders to agree to a strong climate change deal because they fear global warming will drive up their costs by having a negative impact on cotton production, Reuters reported. [Reuters]

Despite significant publicity about consumer preferences for apps, retailers are focusing their mobile attention elsewhere.

According to a new study from Boston Retail Partners, “Mobile Commerce – The Future of Retail,” a leading 24% of retailers said a new or upgraded mobile website is their top commerce priority, double the 12% who listed a new or upgraded mobile app. Sixty-eight percent of retailers expect mobile sire revenue to increase by the end of the year, compared to 38% who expect mobile app revenue to grow by year’s end.

One well-known technology provider takes the top spot in installed worldwide revenue for both retail software and retail software-as-a-service (SaaS).

According to a new study from IHL Group, “Total Retail Software Market,” Microsoft is ranked number one in both categories. IHL estimates the total worldwide retail software market is currently worth $44 billion and will grow 48% in the next five years. Microsoft’s share of retail software is estimated at $5.98 billion in installed revenue.

Dan Berthiaume, senior editor of Chain Store Age, recently participated in a one-hour panel discussion, “Game-Changers 2016 Predictions – Part 1,” sponsored by SAP as part of its “Coffee Break with Game-Changers” Internet radio series.

Retailers and academics are coming together to help drive continuing innovation in digital retailing.

“Our main mission is the advancement of digital retail through collaboration among academic and retail partners,” said Richard Last, senior director of the Global Digital Retail Research Center at the University of North Texas, during an interview with Chain Store Age.

Retailers are paying more and offering more incentives to secure experienced in-store help to increase sales

At least that’s according to a new survey by Korn Ferry Hay Group, a leading global hiring and organizational advisory firm.