Apparel

Studies indicate that online shoppers abandon websites that do not offer free returns shipping. This only makes sense, as the allure of e-commerce is convenience, a broad selection of merchandise, and competitive prices. Free shipping — from delivery through return — keeps the total purchase price similar to in-store shopping.

But there are two sides to free returns.

1. Free Returns Increase Sales

Experiential retail is alive and well at PGA Tour Superstore.

The company, which has the distinction of being the PGA Tour’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner, has built a business dedicated to providing golf enthusiasts of all levels access to the same technology and expertise that card-carrying Tour pros enjoy. Stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club-making and repair facility.

Social media has evolved into a powerful marketing tool for retailers. But so far, social commerce is not yet a major transactional channel.

Twitter is the latest social platform to attempt to take advantage of social media’s immediacy to offer direct purchase functionality aimed at impulse shoppers.

Bealls Inc., the 100-year-old privately held operator of over 530 stores, is expanding its retail footprint with a new specialty store format, Bunulu.

Focused on the coastal lifestyle and targeted at outdoor and youth-minded shoppers, the new concept has a more upmarket vibe than Bealls’ other banners. It premiered at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida. Two additional locations — at St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville, Florida, and The Garden Mall, Palm Beach, Florida — are set to open by the end of this year.

New rankings from the Great Places to Work Institute suggests the retail and consumer packaged goods are not good industries for women.

The only retailers to make the institute’s top 100 list of best places for women to work were Build A Bear Workshop (10), The Container Store (27), Wegman’s (54) and L.L. Bean (84). The CPG industry fared even worse with not a single company included in the top 100.

Location: Doral, Florida

Size: 600,000 sq. ft.

Owner: The Related Group, Related Development LLC, Shoma Homes

Key Tenants: Fresh Market, CinéBistro-Cobb Theatre, Kings Bowling

Other uses/components: 1,000 new luxury residences

Status: Under construction, set for completion Q4 2016

Location: Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania

Size: 948,000 sq. ft.

Owner: PREIT

Key Tenants: Whole Foods Market, Dave & Buster’s, Redstone American Grill, P.F. Chang’s, Benihana, California Pizza Kitchen, Zoes Kitchen, American Eagle Outfitters, Charming Charlie, Express, Gymboree, H&M, J.Crew Factory, Orvis

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