eCommerce

Watch out millennials, Gen Z is coming on strong.   With Generation Z expected to comprise 40% of the North American population by 2020, retailers must address the needs of this generation and understand its purchasing power in households, according to a survey conducted by HRC Retail Advisory.  

On pace to double its online business for fiscal 2016, apparel retailer J. Lindeberg is ready to take control of its e-commerce destiny.    The company, known for its men's and women's fashion and golf apparel and accessories, recently launched in Canada, and now has its sights set on digital expansion into North and South America. At the core of this expansion is bringing its operating platform in-house.  

Toys "R" Us has hired a veteran marketer to lead its global marketing efforts.   The retailer announced that Carla Hassan will join the company as executive VP, global chief marketing officer, effective February 20, 2017. She will report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.   Hassan was most recently senior VP, brand management for PepsiCo's Global Beverage Group, where she was responsible for driving the growth agenda for brands including Pepsi, 7UP, Mountain Dew, and Gatorade.

Despite global economic fluctuations, China is still a world leader in many markets — including global e-commerce.   China’s online retail sales have grown by 33.3% to exceed $581 billion in 2015. Momentum is expected to continue, as sales in the country are expected to grow by 20% yearly through 2020, according to BizView, a B2B marketplace that enables users to connect with over seven million companies around the globe.  

Hubert Joly, chairman and CEO of Best Buy, denied a report that has him taking the helm of a European retailing giant.    A report by Reuters, which cited Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico, said that Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer, had identified Joly as a replacement for its current CEO, Georges Plassat, whose term ends in May 2018.     

The device that allows Amazon shoppers to re-order their favorite items with a single click of their finger has a virtual alter-ego.   The Dash Button is now an icon available on Amazon’s homepage and the retailer’s app homescreen, according to ReCode.  

Alibaba is championing the fight against counterfeit merchandise.   In a new alliance with international brands including Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Mars, Alibaba has created an anti-counterfeiting group. Called the Alibaba Big Data Anti-Alliance, the 20-member consortium of industry and technical leaders is working to keep pirated goods off of Alibaba’s e-commerce platform, according to the company’s website.  

Whole Foods Market has announced the first Northeast location for its streamlined and value-oriented 365 by Whole Foods Market concept.   The retailer will open a 365 store in Brooklyn, New York, in the Fort Greene neighborhood, not far from the Barclay Center. The opening date was not announced.   Whole Foods debuted the 365 format in 2016, and has opened three locations to date, in Silver Lake, Calif; Bellevue, Wash., and Lake Oswego, Oregon.