Consumer Electronics

An improvement in delinquency rates helped Conn’s in December, as the company reported an 11.5% increase in total net sales.

Conn’s total sales, which the company reported at $132.4 million, were impacted approximately 7% by tighter consumer finance underwriting, the company said, which was implemented in response to rising credit delinquencies and defaults. The action improved 60-plus-day delinquency rates in December by 30 basis points over November, the company reported. The company also said same store sales edged up only 0.5% due to plummeting tablet demand.

New York – Retail mall vacancies slightly rose in the fourth quarter of 2014, from 7.9% in the prior quarter to 8%. According to real estate research firm Reis Inc., the closure of 200-plus Sears stores during the year drove the increase, the first recorded since the third quarter of 2011.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in December 2013 vs. December 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. CVS used longer but fewer December circulars, increasing circular pages by 18%. The CVS Christmas Clearance Sale circular was not seen in 2014. Walgreens cut two December 2014 comparable circulars accounting for the 22% drop in circular pages. CVS added a large “THROW THE PERFECT PARTY” promotional block on the inside front page of the 2014 holiday week circular featuring snacks, cookies, coffee, ice cream and sparkling cider.

New York -- As the Big Apple gets ready to host the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show,” which kicks off Sunday, Jan. 11, the city’s retail scene is buzzing. Here are 10 must-see new spaces:

Long Beach, Calif. -- Epson America, a supplier of value-added POS solutions, announced a partnership with Touch Dynamic, a manufacturer in all-in-one POS systems, to address the growing importance of mobile POS as the overall mobile expansion in retail and hospitality continues.

By bundling Epson’s new ultra-compact Mobilink P20 receipt printer with Touch Dynamic’s new 7" and 10" Quest Tablets specifically designed for mobile POS, merchants can increase sales and improve customer service.

E-commerce sales at HHgregg surged during what was an otherwise unhappy holiday season that saw sales fall 6 percent and the company's share price tumble after it withdrew a 2015 profit forecast.

For the third quarter, the company estimated net sales of $666 million, a decrease of approximately 6% as compared to the prior year quarter. Same store sales for the third quarter decreased approximately 6%, with the appliance category relatively flat. However, the company estimated that its e-commerce sales were up approximately 59% for the third quarter.

While retailers are sorting how to capitalize on wearable technology, Intel is betting that that smart glass manufacturer Vuzix will play a role.

Vuzix began selling its flagship M100 Smart Glasses on Amazon prior to the holiday and more recently Intel invested $24.8 million in the company. The investment gives Intel 48,626 shares of Vuzix’ preferred stock and the opportunity to convert those shares into common stock that would give Intel a 30 percent ownership stake in the company.

Grapevine, Texas – Gamers whose friends and family mistakenly gave them holiday gift cards for retailers that do not sell video games have a new option. GameStop is now exchanging unwanted gift cards from other retailers for a GameStop gift card online and in select stores.

Upon verifying the information and completing the transaction, a GameStop e-gift card is emailed if completed online or a gift card is given if the transaction is completed in-store. Customers can either use the gift cards at any U.S. GameStop store location or online.