eCommerce

Rue La La members are getting a new “perk” for their loyalty.   The online fashion retailer is partnering with Dunkin' Donuts in a new mobile marketing program. In a move to bolster the coffee giant’s DD Perks loyalty rewards program, models in Rue La La’s custom-branded, shoppable boutique, "Girl on the Go: Fall Style,” will be touting Dunkin’ Donuts beverages as accessories to their fall looks.  

Marketplaces are taking an increasing share of business-to-consumer (B2C) online retail sales.    Last year, shoppers did half of their online spending through marketplaces — a level that could rise to 66% by 2022, according to “Half of B2C Online Retail Spend Came from Marketplaces in 2016,” a report from Forrester.  

Nordstrom has opened its sixth location in Canada.    The department store retailer on Friday opened its doors at CF Sherway Gardens, its third full-line location in Toronto. The two-level, 140,000-sq.-ft. store follows the retailer's openings at Toronto's CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre last fall. The opening comes as rumors mount that the company is about to go private in a buyout deal. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/nordstrom-edging-closer-going-private  

Consumers were cautious in their spending during the summer months.   Retail sales in August decreased by 0.2% from July on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the National Retail Federation. (The NRF numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants. Also, the Commerce Department said data for July was revised to show sales increasing 0.3% instead of the previously reported 0.6% jump.  

Women's footwear brand Aerosoles has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it looks to shutter nearly all of its U.S. stores.   The company has about 80 stores in the United States, and also sells its shoes through other retailers. It has begun store closing sales and is seeking approval from the Bankruptcy Court to proceed with the sales. Aerosoles said it plans to maintain four flagships, in New York and New Jersey, and will also enhance its e-commerce, wholesale and international businesses.    

Despite the ramping up of global data regulations, most consumers are concerned about how companies collect and use their information.   In fact, an overwhelming 96% of consumers are "somewhat" to "extremely" concerned about data collection and usage. This is understandable, as more than 75% engage in digital payment transactions at least once a month.  

Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck is refocusing the 3,000-store company on the areas with the biggest potential for driving growth — and they do not include its oldest divisions.   “We’re certainly not giving up on Gap or Banana [Republic], but we’re acknowledging the world continues to change,” Peck said in an interview with Bloomberg.  “And those are the two most mature brands in the portfolio.”  

Fewer stores translates into reduced holiday hiring for Macy's this year.   Macy's plans to hire a total of 80,000 workers for the holiday rush, down from about 83,000 last year. The company has been closing underperforming stores and currently operates some 70 fewer stores than it did last year.