Retail

Hanover Direct aligns back-end systems for seamless front-end experience

The days of independent silos, of when the Web, phone, catalog and store could be operated separately each with its own unique customer experiences and fulfillment processes, are behind us. Today’s “always connected” consumers demand a seamless experience from the retailers they shop, regardless of channel. And that seamless experience requires extensive alignment of systems on the back end as well as the front end.

Online retailer Wayfair has added 170,000 sq. ft. to its lease with Simon Property Group at The Offices at Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. In anticipation of a June 2014 relocation, the additional space brings Wayfair's new office space to a total footprint of 275,000 sq. ft.

Ottawa, Canada -- Well-executed dynamic pricing strategies, such as those deployed by Amazon and Overstock, led to higher sales during the 2013 holiday season as opposed to all-season discounting and other strategies. In its “Retail’s 2013 Holiday Winners and Losers” report, pricing intelligence vendor 360pi rated retailers’ overall financial performance for the 2013 fourth quarter on a scale from +5 (above expectations/excellent) to -5 (below expectations/very poor) based on third-party financial analysts’ overall assessments.

Hold department managers accountable for safety to promote better loss control

From mat management to the use of proper cleaning products, prevention is, of course, key to slip and fall management in retail stores. But there are two additional key areas that should be addressed — management communication and accountability. Indeed, sharing information and holding department managers accountable for results can reap numerous benefits for a company.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies Inc. has named Michael A. Jones has been named the company's chief customer officer, effective April 30. Jones currently serves as Lowe's chief merchandising officer, overseeing the full merchandise offering for all Lowe's U.S. stores and Lowes.com, as well as all global sourcing activities.

In much the same way that warehouse club operators offer exclusive benefits to members so they upgrade to premium levels, Amazon continues to enrich offerings available to Prime members who pay an annual fee.

North Plainfield, N.J. — Levin Management has promoted Jake Frantzman to senior leasing representative. Responsible for more than 1.6 million sq. ft. of gross leasable area throughout Levin’s extensive management and leasing portfolio, Frantzman handles leasing for Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater, N.J., Paramus Place in Paramus, N.J. and Stafford Park Shopping Center in Manahawkin, N.J. He also serves as leasing agent for the retail component of Edgewater Harbor, a mixed-use waterfront redevelopment in Edgewater, N.J.

Boston – Life is Good is obtaining solutions support through a partnership with Attune Consulting. Since 2007, Life is Good has utilized Attune’s portfolio of business process, technology, training, and support services.