Retail

Walmart is determined not to cede any ground to Amazon.   In a partnership that takes direct aim at the online giant and its Alexa voice-controlled device, Walmart is teaming up with Google to offer hundreds of thousands of items available for voice shopping via Google Assistant, the search giant's online shopping platform that lives on its smart speaker Google Home and other smart devices. It will be the largest number of items currently offered by a retailer through the platform, according to Walmart.   

Retail marketers take heed: Facebook's appeal is fading among teens even as two other platforms continue to pick up momentum.  

It was another disappointing quarter for Lowe’s Cos., which on Wednesday reported lower-than-expected adjusted earnings and revenue and gave notice of slower growth in profit margin for the second half.    The home improvement company reported that its revenue rose 6.8% to $19.5 billion for the quarter ended Aug. 4, which was short of estimates. Same-store sales rose 4.5%, exceeding Street forecasts.   

Millennials are on board with personalized marketing.   While security may be a concern with older shoppers, 70% of millennials are comfortable with retailers tracking their purchasing and browsing behaviors if it means they’ll receive more relevant communications, according to a report from SmarterHQ, a multichannel behavioral marketing platform.   

Victoria's Secret loss is American Eagle Outfitters’ gain as the teen apparel retailer posted better-than-expected second quarter results, fueled by strong demand for its Aerie lingerie brand.   Net income fell to $21.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in the quarter ended July 29, from $41.6 million, or 23 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding restructuring and related charges of $0.07 per diluted share, the company’s adjusted EPS was $0.19 for the quarter, above analysts' estimates.  

Everything you know about the battle between online and physical retail is probably wrong, according to a report issued this week by CBRE.   As business analysts and retail pundits focus on store closings, they miss the fact that 58% of retail warehouse space was leased by brick-and-mortar retailers last. Only a third of such space was leased by pure-play internet sellers.  

International architects, developers and municipalities have been pushing the commercial real estate envelope for generations, and International design ideals are increasingly taking root in the U.S. From unique communal environments that encourage social engagement to innovative entertainment concepts and extreme sports, domestic developers are slowly but surely integrating formerly international elements into centers. In many ways, this is driven by consumer demand for an experience — coupled with increasingly dense markets that require more creative thinking. 

The man who resigned from the number two position at Uber after six months on the job has been named chief executive of the nation's largest tax preparer.   H&R Block named Jeffrey J. Jones II president and CEO, effective Oct. 9, 2017. He will succeed Tom Gerke, who will continue to serve as interim president and CEO until then. Gerke will remain general counsel and chief administrative officer.