Apple, Inc.

I remember something a retailer once said to me more than 25 years ago, long before digital mattered. It’s still true today: If the product’s not right, nothing matters. If the product is right, everything matters. That everything now includes staying ahead of the consumer digitally. We’ve gone from a generation that saw technology as a skill to one that doesn’t see it at all — it’s so natural it’s become instinct. This shopper lives in a world where digital doesn’t just define shopping habits — it defines the way shoppers live.

Kansas City, Mo. -- Taubman Centers and The Macerich Company announced an agreement to purchase Country Club Plaza located in Kansas City, Missouri, from Highwoods Properties. Taubman and Macerich will each have a 50% interest in the center, which will be jointly managed by both companies. The mixed-use retail and office property was purchased for $660 million cash, excluding transaction costs. Concurrent with or shortly after closing, a long-term, fixed-rate loan for 50%-60% of the purchase price is expected to be placed on the asset.

Last week, I looked at the top three trends that disrupted how retailers engage their customers during 2015. This week, I predict the top three trends that will set the course for customer engagement in 2016.

As Seen on TV

Executives from retail and restaurant chains grabbed some of the top spots in an annual ranking of the nation’s top CEOs.

Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley was rated the number one executive on ExecRank’s 2015 Top Mid Cap CEOs list. Taking the number two spot: Sally J. Smith, CEO and president of Buffalo Wild Wings. Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of Restoration Hardware Holdings, took the third spot.

Retailers need to improve several aspects of their omnichannel customer engagement strategies if they want to truly satisfy customers.

Home Depot, Amazon.com and Safeway are tops when it comes to offering the best mobile commerce experience according to a new study that benchmarks 20 top U.S. retailers against one another.

I remember something a retailer once said to me more than 25 years ago, long before digital mattered. It’s still true today: if the product’s not right, nothing matters. If the product is right, everything matters. That everything now includes staying ahead of the consumer digitally. We’ve gone from a generation that saw technology as a skill, to one that doesn’t see it at all – it’s so natural it's become instinct. This shopper lives in a world where digital doesn’t just define shopping habits - it defines the way they live.

It’s no secret Amazon.com counts Google and Apple as two of its biggest competitors for general online domination. According to Motley Fool, Amazon is expanding a specific benefit of its Prime paid loyalty service intended to both boost membership and stay current with Google and Apple’s consumer offerings. [Motley Fool]

GameStop’s Technology Brands division has reached another milestone toward its goal of generating $1.5 billion in revenue by 2019.

The retailer announced it has opened its 1,000th technology brand store. The company now boasts the title of largest video game retailer in the world, as well as the largest AT&T authorized retailer and largest Apple-authorized specialist in the United States.

It’s no secret Amazon.com counts Google and Apple as two of its biggest competitors for general online domination. So, according to Motley Fool, Amazon is expanding a specific benefit of its Prime paid loyalty service intended to both boost membership and stay current with Google and Apple’s consumer offerings. 

Read more by clicking here.