eCommerce

Old Navy, the division that has been performing the best for Gap Inc. for years, suffered a serious sales slump in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, Gap Inc.’s net sales were $4.39 billion compared with $4.71 billion for the fourth quarter last year. Same-store sales at Gap Inc. were down 7% versus positive 2% last year. Same-store sales by global brand for the fourth quarter were as follows:

• Gap Global: negative 3% versus negative 6% last year

Consumers are generally willing to use mobile apps to assist with grocery shopping, and there is one retailer whose app is the clear favorite.

According to a new study from Blackhawk Engagement Solutions,’ “How Grocery Shoppers Shop: Changing Trends in Grocery Shopping,” the top used grocery app among U.S. consumers by a wide margin is Amazon (71%). This is followed by grocery store apps (28%), Walmart (26%) and Target (25%). Third-party savings apps are not used much, with use in the low single digits for the grocery channel.

Nordstrom is launching a new national marketing campaign withprint, digital and video components as the retailer seeks to improve its connection with younger customers.

Columbus, Ohio -- Casto announced that it has been selected by Edwards Communities Development Company to lease the retail component of The Highline at Nine, Edwards new mixed-use project located in Columbus, Ohio.

The retail development is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2017. Located on the doorstep of The Ohio State University’s South Campus and the northern edge of the Short North Arts District, The Highline at Nine will include approximately 22,000 sq. ft. of prime retail and restaurant space along with 480 student housing beds.

Stores that double as classrooms, sensory-rich environments and a rental versus a buy retail model. These are three of the five trends that shopping center developer Westfield believes will shape the future of retailing.

The trends are highlighted in a new report from Westfield, "How We Shop Now: What's Next?," for which the developer interviewed 13,000 shoppers across the United States and United Kingdom along with leading industry experts and trend-spotters.

The five key trends are:

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group announced that Melina Cordero, a retail analyst, consultant and researcher has joined the company as head of retail research, the Americas. Cordero will work closely with CBRE Retail business-line leaders and professionals to generate innovative, in-depth research and analysis to inform CBRE clients about the ever-changing retail and shopping center industries.

Burberry is going its own way — and it’s not alone. Reflecting the consumer’s demand for instant gratification, the high-end fashion brand is moving to a new system whereby it will show its new collections on the catwalk the same time they are available for sale in the stores — as opposed to six months beforehand, the New York Times reported. Shortly after Burberry’s announcement, designer Tom Ford said he would show both his men’s and women’s fall collections together next September, at the same time as the clothes were available to buy.

PetSmart has become the first pet retailer to ink a deal with the founder of one of the newest and most exciting innovations for dogs: meal replacement bars.

The specialty pet store announced it will carry TurboPUP portable meal bars for dogs in more than 900 PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Canada this year. Last week the founder of TurboPUP bars appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank with the news of her exclusive, national retail deal with the retailer.