eCommerce

E-commerce has redefined the retail shopping experience and shaped the fate of retailers in many sectors. Grocers have been the exception thus far, but that is about to change in a major way.

I’ll hold off on talking about the holiday shopping season in detail until all the numbers are in, but it’s clear that we’ve already learned quite a lot from 2013. In fact, the more I think about this past year the more I think that the holiday numbers aren’t even the most important takeaway. What’s far more interesting to me is what 2013 has to tell us about where we go next. With that in mind, here’s my early take on what 2014 might have in store (and in stores!) for us:

Slow, steady and sustainable growth

Hampstead, Md. – The board of directors of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. has unanimously rejected a non-binding acquisition proposal it received on Nov. 26, 2013, from The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. Assisted by outside financial advisors, the board determined the price of roughly $1.54 billion significantly undervalued the company and its near and long-term potential and was not in the best interest of the company's shareholders.

New York — Reebok has leased an 11,600-sq.-ft. space at 1 Union Square West in Manhattan for a combination Reebok Fit Hub store and Reebok Cross-fit gym. Slated to open in the spring of 2014, the location will house the bran’s Manhattan flagship store and the largest Reebok Fit Hub in the chain.

Yonkers, N.Y. – Unsurprisingly, crowds and long lines are the single biggest consumer dread for the holiday season. According to a new Consumer Reports poll, 61% of consumers dread crowds and long lines, followed by bad traffic (54%).

RadioShack has opened its newest Manhattan location as a popup concept store at Penn Station. The limited-time-only location is the third RadioShack popup store to open in Manhattan.
 
In addition, RadioShack has opened a total of eight concept stores in the Manhattan area. The newest popup opened five days after construction began.

Alameda, Calif. — Carter’s, a children’s clothing and accessories retailer, has signed a 10-year lease for a 4,178-sq.-ft. store at Alameda South Shore Center in Alameda, Calif., according to Jamestown, a real estate investment and management firm.

The new store, located close to Kohl’s, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014. SRS Real Estate Partners represented Carter’s in the transaction.

Batavia, Ill. – Discount grocer Aldi is launching a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the United States. The chain launched its expansion efforts with the decision to build its regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, Calif.