Retail

Chicago -- Consumers value the retail store experience on multiple levels and continue to make the vast majority of their purchases in stores, according to a new study from global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney. The report found that the physical store is the channel of choice across all ages (from Millennial to senior citizens) and household income levels (from less than $25,000 per year to more than $100,000 per year).

Dallas and New Orleans — The Howard Hughes Corp. has announced the tenant lineup for the redevelopment of Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans. The $70 million renovation is transforming the aging mall into The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, the nation’s first downtown outlet center.

According to Hughes Corp., virtually all of the space in the new Riverwalk has been committed, and well-known national outlet retailers and popular local retail, dining and entertainment offerings hold 94% of the leases.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS is reportedly offering a new program to its ExtraCare loyalty program members, called myWeeklyAd, which creates a personalized profile with targeted product offers based on previous purchases. According to Wall St. Cheat Sheet, CVS spent about $7 million on the omnichannel program which is available on PC, tablet and smartphone.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, a leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, has reached an agreement with Bell Laboratories, Inc., a leading rodent control technology developer, to acquire the Tomcat consumer rodent control business.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart is expanding its presence this fall with four new stores and two relocated stores. The new stores are located in El Paso, Texas; Buford (Atlanta), Ga.; Elk Grove (Sacramento), Calif.; and Watchung, N.J.

Sears Canada is getting ready to introduce the first-ever Black Friday sale in Canada to accompany Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

"Our customers already participate in our Black Friday sale in November so we wanted to give them one that, in a similar style to the U.S., would accompany our own Thanksgiving Holiday," said Doug Campbell, president and CEO, Sears Canada. "With the variety of sales being offered in stores and online they can pick up new home essentials or even get a head start on their Holiday shopping."

New York -- Tractor Supply CEO Greg Sandfort outlined the company's online strategy, borrowing phrases from other multichannel retailers.

“We have to have our site geared to giving customers the options for any way they like to engage with us,” Sandfort said during the recent Goldman Sachs investor conference.

New York -- Five Below will debut in two Cafaro malls next summer. The three-million-sq.-ft. Eastwood Mall Complex in Niles, Ohio, will welcome a 9,300-sq.-ft. Five Below. The two-million-sq.-ft. Millcreek Mall Complex in Erie, Pa. will get an 8,700-sq.-ft. store in the Millcreek Pavilion.

Hot Head Burrito will also open a 2,000-sq.-ft. location, now under construction, at Eastwood Mall. A young chain, Hot Head Burrito operates more than 50 restaurants in six states.