Seasonal

NRF offers retailers help with new holiday planning playbook
Washington, D.C. -- Retailers will reveal their 2015 holiday strategies in the weeks ahead and as they do so the National Retail Federation is offering a powerful new resource filled with industry best practices to benchmark against for this year and beyond.

The newly released report, called the 2015 Holiday Planning Playbook, was compiled by top retailers over the course of the past year who served on various NRF councils focused on retail industry disciplines.
NRF’s new playbook offers holiday help
Retailers will reveal their 2015 holiday strategies in the weeks ahead and as they do so the National Retail Federation is offering a powerful new resource filled with industry best practices to benchmark against for this year and beyond.

The newly released document is called the 2015 Holiday Planning Playbook and was compiled by top retailers over the course of the past year who served on various NRF councils focused on retail industry disciplines.

What is ‘Sniagrab’? Ask Sports Authority.

Englewood, Colo. -- Sports Authority wants customers to line up early on Saturday, Sept. 5 for its annual winter sports blowout sale identified for the past 61 years by the quirky name Sniagrab.
Sports Authority begins biggest sale of the year

Sports Authority is encouraging customers to line up early on Saturday, Sept. 5 for the retailer’s annual winter sports blowout sale identified for the past 61 years by the quirky name Sniagrab.
Michaels paints a pretty financial quarter

The CEO of Michaels says an improved merchandising strategy and a focus on the customer experience helped drive sales growth at the specialty retailer in the second quarter.

Total sales increased 3.8% to $984.3 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 1 at Michaels and same store sales increased 2.9%. Michaels reported a profit of $35.7 million, or 17 cents a share, vs. a loss of $46.8 million, or 26 cents a share, a year ago.
Walmart fires opening salvo of 2015 holiday season

The holiday force has awakened earlier than ever at Walmart with the Aug. 28 launch of a major initiative called Toy Week.

Walmart has released its top toy list of 25 products and announced details of a layaway program that is less restrictive than prior years. The program begins Aug. 28, two weeks earlier than last years, and those participating will find the price point of eligible items has been reduced to $10 with a minimum basket size of $50, there is no account opening fee and only a 10% down payment is required.
Bon-Ton increases e-commerce support

Milwaukee - The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is increasing its support of e-commerce with a new 743,000-sq.-ft. direct-to-consumer fulfillment center.

The facility, which began transitioning fulfillment operations in June, supports the company’s expanding e-commerce business and omnichannel growth plans.
Meijer asks customers to help the hungry

Meijer is recognizing the need to fund hunger programs in the communities it serves with a new promotion.
Teens eschewing logos, looking for deals

New York -- As if retailers didn’t have enough to worry about, teens are shopping more like their parents.

Click here for the story.
Facilities Winter Prep

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.
Multiple Touchpoints

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.
eMarketer: Low gas prices will help fuel big jump in holiday sales

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).