Apparel

Engaging the connected consumer
Reinventing the traditional retailing experience is paramount to reaching a digitally savvy customer base, according to Joe Jensen, VP, Internet of Things group general manager, retail solutions division, Intel. Jensen discussed with Chain Store Age how retailers can meet this challenge.
What are the biggest challenges that retailers are facing in their customer engagement strategies?
New store-supply-chain scenario
Supply chain visibility is important in omnichannel success. The Internet of Things could be the perfect tool to keep inventory hiccups throughout the demand chain to a minimum.
“While many retailers have a mind-set that IoT is about satisfying customers and not moving product, supply chain IoT use cases still interest retailers,” said Steve Rowen, managing partner at Retail Systems Research.

New looks, new formats

With the physical store now widely acknowledged as a critical touchpoint in a customer’s omnichannel shopping journey, many retailers spent the summer opening new prototypes and formats.

Here are three that are still generating buzz:

Sephora

Sephora’s new outpost on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue makes buying makeup and other beauty products an interactive experience.
Time Equities buys Dearborn power center for $20.6 million

Mid-America Real Estate reported it has arranged the sale of the Fairlane Meadows Shopping Center in Dearborn, Michigan, to Time Equities for $20.6 million. The seller was Ramco-Gershenson Property Trust. The 157,225-sq.-ft. center is situated within a residential development of the same name. The store roster includes Best Buy, Citi Trends, David’s Bridal, Five Below, and Dollar Tree. It is shadow-anchored by Target and Burlington Coat Factory.
Ascena Retail restructures; some execs to leave

Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Justice, and Lane Bryant, announced organizational changes expected to provide cost-savings of $100 million to $150 million by fiscal 2019. The changes will see a number of executives leave the company, although Ascena did not disclose who would be leave. Also, Brian Lynch, CEO and president of Justice, has been appointed company COO.
Sears exec joins Claire’s

There is a new finance chief at Claire’s Stores. The retailer has appointed Scott Huckins as its executive VP and CFO, effective Oct. 5. He joins Claire's from Sears Holdings where he served as VP, treasurer and president for Sears Re, (a wholly owned captive reinsurance company) for the last four years. In that role, he had responsibility for global treasury, capital markets, credit, risk management and reinsurance for the company.
New year will bring new CEO to VF Corp.

VF. Corp., whose brands include The North Face, Timberland and Nautica, will have a new chief executive come January. The company announced that president and COO Steven E. Rendle will become CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Rendle, 57, will succeed Eric C. Wiseman, who will continue to serve as executive chairman and work with Rendle to ensure a successful transition. Rendle has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty outdoor and action sports industry, 16 of which have been with VF.
Signet Jewelers closes Leonard Green strategic investment

Signet Jewelers Limited has closed its previously announced investment from Leonard Green & Partners. The private equity firm invested $625 million in the form of convertible preferred shares. The Signet board, as previously disclosed, increased its authorized share buyback program by $625 million on August 25, 2016, in connection with the transaction.
J.C. Penney uses ‘experiences’ to ‘reimagine retail’

It is not easy for a 100-plus year-old retailer to reimagine its retail strategy, but J.C. Penney is doing just that.
UGG makes a loyalty play

UGG is driving a new level of engagement with loyal shoppers. Starting today, shoppers nationwide are invited to join UGG Rewards, a loyalty program that awards shoppers with points for every purchase. The program, which was launched as a pilot among a limited customer base between September 2015 and June 2016, is now available to shoppers in-store and online throughout the United States.
ICSC: Physical, digital retail will converge to entice holiday shoppers

Physical stores still play a crucial role in holiday shopping. That’s one of the major themes of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual holiday forecast, which emphasizes that, more than ever before, shoppers will expect an omnichannel experience this season. The report predicts 3.3% year-over-year growth sales at physical stores this holiday season (compared to 2.2% increase in 2015). Including online sales for physical retailers, ICSC predicts sales will rise 3.5%.
Ralph Lauren goes high-tech with LA flagship

Ralph Lauren has added some high-tech flourishes to its redesigned flagship on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif. The 22,000-sq.-ft. store has an interactive handbag salon that allows shoppers to customize handbags — with options on monogramming, color and hardware — before the bag is actually produced, the Los Angeles Times reported.