Winter Holidays

Fall inspections key to prepping HVAC systems for colder temps

It’s only September and still technically summer. But calendar aside, it is time to start prepping HVAC systems for the colder days ahead.

Oddly enough, most retailers start to prepare for the summer season months ahead of the first 95-degree day. Plans are developed to schedule the HVAC spring inspections well in advance, so when the first heat wave hits, stores will be ready to start pumping cold air to keep their customers very comfortable.

This year more than ever, holiday shoppers are coming to retailers across a variety of channels and touchpoints. Retailers need to provide a consistent and personalized experience for customers wherever they are.

New York -- It’s almost September, which can only mean one thing: The annual blizzard of holiday sales forecasts is about to begin, and this year eMarketer is one of the first out of the gate.

The firm predicts a shiny and bright holiday season for U.S. retailers, with an assist from falling gas prices and online growth. eMarketer forecasts that U.S. retail sales in the months of November and December 2015 will increase 5.7% year-over-year, reaching $885.7 billion (includes online and physical store sales).

Common industry wisdom holds that by the time the holidays actually come around, merchandising and marketing plans have been in place for several months or more.

Everyone has had the disappointment of being promised something great for the holidays, and then for one reason or another not getting it. Men’s Wearhouse Inc. goes to great lengths to ensure that if a holiday promise is broken, it’s not because of any shortcomings on its end.

The Houston-based, 1,750-plus-store specialty men’s apparel retailer collaborates with supply chain management solutions provider United Parcel Services Inc.

For consumers, “holiday planning” means creating shopping lists and perhaps deciding whether to invite your annoying uncle to the family festivities. For retailers, holiday planning means organizing and optimizing the entire enterprise to adequately handle a sustained period of increased consumer demand.

Green Bay, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers announced details for the master plan of the Titletown District, a destination area to be created immediately west of Lambeau Field Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers will invest approximately $65 million in Titletown, with a cumulative initial investment by all parties to be between $120 million-130 million.

It’s almost September, which can only mean one thing: The annual blizzard of holiday sales forecasts is about to begin, and this year eMarketer is one of the first out of the gate.

Irving, Texas – The Michaels Companies Inc. is partnering with trend-driven online DIY marketplace Darby Smart in September to bring select Michaels products to Darby Smart. The partnership will also bring Darby Smart products and community members to Michaels.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. exceeded Wall Street projections with net earnings of $753 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, a 221% increase from $234 million the same period the prior fiscal year. Declining selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and loss from discontinued operations helped boost profits as sales climbed.

Target reported net sales of $17.4 billion, up 2.8% over the same period last year.