Consumer Electronics

Father’s Day spending: Eight need-to-know items
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, and retailers and dads alike will have reason to smile, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). American adults who plan to consume this holiday will do so in a big way, spending an average of $169.60 at predominantly at physical retailers, according to ICSC’s most recent consumer survey. Here are eight specific findings:
Specialty electronics retailer recognizes need for mobile speed
Today’s consumers are more hurried than ever, and even traditional e-commerce apps may not move quickly enough to satisfy them. New York-based specialty electronics retailer B&H Photo Video, which operates a single superstore as well as a global e-commerce site, is taking advantage of a new app-sharing feature from Google. Known as Android Instant Apps, it allows users to have a native app experience without actually download an Android app from the Play Store.

Coming soon to Nordstrom — cars

The nation’s highest-profile electric car-marker is taking an unusual route to get its product out in front of potential customers.
The downside of returns — for store employees

The liberal return policies of many big retailers are having a negative impact on the paychecks of store associates who receive commissions, according to a report by the New York Times.
Study: E-commerce may be over its growth spurt

Internet shopping is extremely popular, but how much room for further growth is there? According to a new study of more than 3,300 U.S. consumers age 15 and up from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the overall move to online shopping is expected to slow considerably during the next three years.
Retail sales rise in May

Solid. That’s how many industry analysts described retail sales in May. Driven partly by rising gasoline prices, sales increased 0.5% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, above the 0.3% gain economists expected. Excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, retail sales rose 0.2% unadjusted over April, according to the National Retail Federation.
Music, books retailer files Chapter 11

Draw Another Circle, the parent company of Texas-based Hastings Entertainment, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with hopes of finding a buyer for its Hastings superstores.
Technology repair retailer has big growth plans

Given the growing proliferation of digital devices, it’s no wonder uBreakiFix is feeling bullish about expansion. The fast-growing technology repair company specializes in same-day repair service of small electronics. With some 200 locations across North America, uBreakiFix opened 24 stores during first quarter 2016. It expects to have a total of 275 stores by year end.
Entertainment and Experience Guide the Future of Retail

It’s no secret that mixed-use developments are incorporating an increasing amount of entertainment uses and experience-centric concepts into their projects. Gone are the days of shopping-only destinations. Developers and local municipalities are focusing more and more on complex retail-led mixed-use formats to attain a focal point for social, commercial and economic growth.
Study sheds light on how many products Amazon actually carries (Hint: it’s a lot)

Amazon currently accounts for one in three shopping transactions in North America, but few details about the e-tail giant’s product assortment have not been readily available. Until now.

Father’s Day spending: Eight need-to-know items

Specialty electronics retailer recognizes need for mobile speed

Coming soon to Nordstrom — cars

The downside of returns — for store employees

Study: E-commerce may be over its growth spurt

Retail sales rise in May

Music, books retailer files Chapter 11

Technology repair retailer has big growth plans

Entertainment and Experience Guide the Future of Retail

Study sheds light on how many products Amazon actually carries (Hint: it’s a lot)