Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Amazon’s fifth bookstore is open for business.   The online giant’s newest Amazon Books location, a 6,000-sq.-ft. space, opened its doors in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood on Tuesday, March 23 — its first location in the Midwest, according to CBS Chicago.   

Online gaming is taking its toll on GameStop in a big way.   The retailer said that its video game category was weak, particularly in the second half of the year. This challenge, combined with shoppers’ attraction to online gaming, contributed to a total global sales decrease of 13.6% to $3.05 billion for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2017.   The company earned $208.7 million, in the fourth quarter, compared with profits of $247.8 million for the same period a year ago.  

Industry experts are predicting that Bebe stores will be the next apparel retailer to declare Chapter 11.   The fashion retailer on Thursday said it had retained B. Riley & Co.as financial advisor, and has also has hired a real estate advisor to “assist with options related to its lease holdings."  

Chain Store Age honored five dynamic and growing retail and restaurant brands at its annual Breakout Retailer Awards presentation, which was held at CSA’s SPECS 2017 Conference, in Kissimmee, Florida.    The Breakout Retailer honorees for 2017 were Altar’d State, Bentley’s Pet Stuff, MOD Pizza, Sugarfina and Warby Parker. The awards were sponsored by Paint Folks, a division of Academy Service Group.    

Amazon’s voice-controlled assistant is becoming a more powerful shopping tool.     Amazon announced on Tuesday that Prime Now subscribers can now use Alexa to order from Prime Now and its two-hour delivery service in the cities where it is available (30 in total at the present time).   In addition, customers can also order from Prime Now’s newly launched alcohol delivery service in the markets where it is offered.  

Walmart continues to grow both its e-commerce and fashion presence.    On Friday, the discounter announced it had acquired the assets and operations of online retailer ModCloth, which specializes in eclectic and quirky apparel and accessories for 18- to 35-year-old women. The company did not reveal the purchase price.  

Despite the growth of online shopping, brick and mortar stores are still critical to retail success.   “Retail stores are not dead,” said Shelley E. Kohan, VP of retail consulting at RetailNext Inc. “The retailers who continue to embrace change in their business models will be well positioned for today and in the future."  

Amazon is making its next global logistics move.    The online retailer plans to enable its Chinese sellers to fly their goods internationally as air cargo, according to MarketWatch.