Winter Holidays

By Greg Smith, president & CEO of Accudata Technologies

The holiday season is right around the corner, and you know what that means — shopping, upon shopping, upon shopping! This is a great time for any e-retail business, but are you ready?

Macy’s is gearing up for the holiday by hiring approximately 86,000 seasonal employees at its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers — a 3.6% increase from last year. In particular, the company’s seasonal workforce has grown in its network of online fulfillment centers thanks to increased sales generated by its omnichannel business strategy.

New York -- Standard General LP is in talks to improve RadioShack’s cash position in advance of the holiday season, Reuters reported. The hedge fund said it was in talks with the struggling retailer to buy the company's loans and other commitments under its asset-backed credit facility.

Standard General has also raised its stake in RadioShack to 9.8% from 7.08%. It is now the retailer’s largest shareholder.

Keeping stores in peak condition remains the top priority of retail facility managers, who are increasingly being asked to do more with less. Chain Store Age spoke with Lauryn Blank, CEO of Global Facility Management & Construction, about the impact of technology on store maintenance and other trends. She also provided some timely advice for winter challenges.

Uniqlo's latest interactive global campaign, called the ‘Uniqlo Selfless Selfie Project,’ encourages consumers to take a selfies and give back this holiday season.

Participants must post a selfie with a pledge to do something nice for a loved one or for their local community to social media using #3DSelfie for a chance to win a full-body 3D replica of themselves dressed in Uniqlo holiday clothing.
 

It may only be October, but here’s a prediction: It’s going to be a high-tech holiday, and I’m not talking about the gift-giving part of it. (Although in a refrain I think will play out in countless homes over the next couple of months, my 20-year-old godson has told his family the ONLY thing he wants for Christmas is a new Apple phone.)

But the big story this year is likely to be retailers’ increased use of emerging technologies that bring the digital and brick-and-mortar worlds together.

Seattle -- Social shopping, e-commerce videos, free shipping and in-store pickup rank among the top trends expected to drive holiday sales for online retailers, according to Blueocean Market Intelligence, a global analytics and insights provider.

New York -- Uniqlo is partnering with DOOB, a global provider of 3D technology-based products and services, on an interactive holiday campaign called the “Selfless Selfie Project. The program encourage people to take a selfie that isn’t as much about them but about giving back – such as pledging to do something to give back to their local community.