Department Store

While most large retailers now offer omnichannel return capabilities, the experience may leave something to be desired.

According to The Omni-Returns Experience Report, a new study of 25 major retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Apple, Gap, Sears, J.C.Penney and Macy's from StellaService, more than 75% of evaluated retailers offer buy online, return in store (BORIS).

The holidays are becoming an increasingly social event, as evidenced by the promotional campaigns of two major department store chains this season.

According to Adweek, both Target and Macy’s are heavily leveraging a variety of social media platforms to engage consumers for the 2015 holiday season. Target has increased the percentage of its overall paid media spend represented by social to 12%, up 30% from about 9% in 2014.

Online spending this holiday season is shaping up to be downright joyful for retailers.

According to comScore, total online retail spending for the November–December period will reach $70.1 billion, representing a 14% gain from $61.3 billion a year earlier. Total desktop spending is expected to reach $58.3 billion, up 9% from $53.3 million.

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

The narrative is a familiar one: the scourge of online sales, encroaching ominously on brick-and-mortar market share, continues to siphon sales and transform the retail industry into an increasingly virtual landscape. Over the last few years, nearly every retail sales drop or unexpectedly poor performance has been laid at the feet of the Internet.

Mid-America Real Estate announced three new retail leases recently signed.

New Bohemi signed a lease for 4,209 sq. ft. at Eagan Towne Centre located in Eagan, Minnesota off of Interstate 35. The 153,781 sq. ft. center is anchored by Cub Foods, Big Lots and Dollar Tree.

Title Boxing Club signed a lease for 3,495 sq. ft. at 55th and Lyndale located in Minneapolis. The 4,736 sq. ft. center is shadow-anchored by Walgreens, Midas, Enterprise and Kowalski’s.

Sam Edelman continues to expand its West Coast retail presence.

The footwear brand turned lifestyle retailer opened a 2,896- sq.-ft. store Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, Calif. The new location is the second in California, and the largest of all Sam Edelman stores, including those planned to open in the next year.

Designed by Dagnell Folger of Architecture + Information, the store stays true to the Sam Edelman aesthetic with a mix of materials that includes reclaimed wood and raw concrete with rose-colored brass and black leather.

Chico's FAS blamed the holiday calendar and a volatile stock market for its disappointing financial results in the third quarter.

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th is making progress in its plans to open up to 25 locations across Canada by 2018.

The retailer announced three new locations in Canada: Toronto Premium Outlets, Halton Hills, Ontario; Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario; and Premium Outlets Montreal, Mirabel, Quebec City.