eCommerce

American Eagle Outfitters has gone omnichannel with its loyalty program.   The teen apparel retailer announced the launch of AEO Connected, a highly digitized loyalty program for its American Eagle and Aerie customers. Over 16 million current rewards members were immediately converted to AEO Connected.   

In an important vote of confidence in its brand from key lenders, Toys "R" Us closed on crucial financing just in time for the holiday crunch.   The retailer announced that it has closed on $3.1 billion of financing facilities that will support its operations during its restructuring process. The financing was from a group of lenders led by JP Morgan.  

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have officially joined forces — finally.   Bass Pro Shops' acquisition of Cabela’s Inc. is complete. The deal, in the works for more than a year, brings together two of the nation's leading outdoor gear and apparel retailers. Bass Pro, a leader in fishing, operates more than 100 retail stores, while Cabela's, which is heavy into hunting, counts 89 locations. Also part of the unified company, which will be privately held, is Bass Pro's White Marine Group boating division. 

Disney is looking to update its customer experience, offline and online, in what it said represents "the next generation of Disney retail."   The company is testing a new store prototype in select locations, including Century City, Calif.; Northridge, Calif.; Miami, Fla. (opening Sept. 28); Nagoya, Japan; and Shanghai, China. The prototype is designed to bring the magic of Disney to retail through innovative technology, storytelling and cast member interaction, the company stated.  

Williams Sonoma is expanding its new dedicated home furnishings store format.  

A tech-savvy retailer with an unusual business model is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint nationally.    b8ta announced plans to open four new stores, designed by Gensler, with locations in San Francisco, San Jose, Calif. (Santana Row), Houston (Galleria), and New York City. The expansion, which brings the company's total store count to nine, kicks off with the opening of a store in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood on Sept. 29.  

More and more Americans plan to get an early start on their holiday shopping. And they also plan on spending more.    Nearly half (45%) of Americans plan to start holiday shopping before November, with one in four starting before October, according to RetailMeNot's 2017 Holiday Retail Trends and Guide. Retailers are capitalizing on this earlier start: Nearly 80% indicated they will begin holiday marketing efforts earlier this year.