Mass Merchant

First Google became Alphabet and now Men’s Wearhouse is following suit by creating a new holding company structure under the name Tailored Brands, a corporate identity  that hints at growth aspirations beyond the male demographic.

When it comes to e-commerce, the top driver is actually something the experience doesn’t offer.

According to two surveys of online shoppers in the U.S. and Canada conducted by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, in December 2015 and January 2016, a leading 55% of respondents cited the lack of crowds, traffic and hunting for parking as a top reason to buy online. Another 46% said shopping online takes less time than shopping in stores, while 46% also mentioned free shipping.

Despite plummeting fuel prices, the ranks of convenience stores swelled to a record level last year.

The U.S. convenience store count increased to 154,195 stores as of Dec. 31, a 0.9% increase (1,401 stores) from the year prior, according to the 2016 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count.

San Antonio, Texas -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors with expertise in more than 45 major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, announced that it has welcomed San Antonio-based REATA Real Estate as its newest partner.

Ride-sharing service Uber is getting more aggressive in its jockeying for position in the online delivery marketplace.

In October 2015, Uber expanded its UberRush same-day delivery service from New York, where it had been operating for about two years, to San Francisco and Chicago. UberRush uses Uber drivers to deliver merchandise from retailers to customers for a $5-$7 fee, often in minutes.

The American Dream mall will encompass three million square feet when it opens in northern New Jersey in 2017 and occupying 100,000 sq. ft. of that space will be fashion retailer Primark.

It was a happy holiday season at Amazon.com where fourth quarter profits more than doubled, sales increased 22% and the company handily surpassed annual sales of $100 billion for the first time.

Amazon.com said its net sales increased 22% to $35.7 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $29.3 billion in fourth quarter 2014. With a $1.2 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates, fourth quarter sales would have increased 26%.

German discount supermarket chain Lidl has revealed where it will drop its anchor in the United States.

The retailer revealed on its website that it is seeking locations between New Jersey and Georgia. It said it is looking to build stand-alone, 36,000-sq.-ft. stores on sites that are at least 3.5 acres with a minimum of 150 parking spaces.