Microsoft

Redmond, Wash. — Microsoft and Retail Realm are partnering to launch the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Essentials with Retail Realm product, which represents Microsoft's first major push into the SMB marketplace with a new solution. On new install, this retail-specific solution installs with the Retail Realm add-on embedded.    

Redmond, Wash. -- Guitar Center and four additional new retailers and restaurants are slated to open at Redmond Town Center, in Redmond, Wash., later this year and into next spring.  

San Jose, Calif. –- Venture capitalist Marc Andreesen is resigning from the EBay Inc. board of directors. Following the board’s recent decision to separate eBay and PayPal into independent, publicly traded companies in the second half of 2015, Andreessen, who joined the board in 2008, said that now is the right time to step down.  

Denver -- Junction Solutions announced today that it completed the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 at 122 stores of Fanzz, a leading sports apparel and team gear retailer.  

New York -- For the second year in a row, Apple ranks as the most valuable brand in the world, followed by Google, on Interbrand’s 15th annual Best Global Brands Report. Apple was valued at $118.9 billion, up 21% over last year, while Google was valued at $107.43 billion, up 15%. Rounding out the top five were Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft. It was the first time in the history of the Best Global Brands report that two global brands – not just one – had a brand value that exceeded $100 billion.

By Jon Winsett, NPI

As we barrel towards the holiday season, few retail IT executives have as much time as they’d like to work on the challenges that will be waiting for them in first quarter 2015 — including limited funding for IT innovation. Retailers are projected to spend more in the coming year, but nearly three-quarters of that budget will be committed to maintaining the status quo. That leaves little to fund game-changing new IT initiatives that can drive competitive advantage, customer loyalty and profits.

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft will open its first flagship location, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

In addition, Microsoft plans to open 10 new stores across the U.S. in time for the 2014 holiday season, while the flagship New York store is being built. Microsoft has not given a specific timeframe for when the flagship will open, but said it has been planning the store for five years. It will open in a spot currently occupied by luxury accessories brand Fendi, a few blocks south of an Apple store.

By Bill Davis, Director, MB&G Consulting