Sales & Marketing

While Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods Market signifies a staggering boost in its physical store breadth, the deal is much more valuable than that.   This is according to “LandMark Insights,” a report from PlaceIQ. The study analyzed more than 165 million anonymous and opted-in mobile device signals nationwide to determine visitation patterns and audience affinities, among other metrics. These transactions were compiled over a 90-day period.   

It had to happen sooner or later. The hipster pioneers of Brooklyn’s greatest real estate reclamation project are having kids and leaving Williamsburg behind. Many of them have landed in the quaint riverside towns of Westchester County, a swath of land the New York Times has christened “Hipsterbia.”  

Levi Straus is the second most patriotic brand in America. And Ralph Lauren isn't far behind.    That's according to the 15th annual Brand Keys survey of iconic American brands, which asked 4,860 consumers, balanced for age and political party affiliation, to evaluate which of 280 brands were most resonant as to ‘patriotism.’ Jeep took the top spot in the survey for the second consecutive year. (For complete listing of the 50 most patriotic brands, which includes several retailers, see end of article.)

Increased security in airports is helping to boost sales in airport stores.    Travel retail, particularly in airports, is currently a bright spot in the retail world.    Spending in airports hit $38 billion globally in 2016, according to GlobalData. It is set to grow by 27% to $49 billion by 2021.  

Amazon is giving new meaning to the phrase "Christmas in July."  

Noting that necessity-based have proven to resistant to the pressures of online retailers, Westwood Co-CEO Randy Banchik announced his company’s acquisition of The Arbors at Mallard Creek in Charlotte. Purchase price was $25.1 million.    “This asset boasts a variety of internet resistant tenants, insulating it from factors such as the rise of online shopping,” Blanchik said.  

German discount grocer is expanding its presence and investment in the U.S. — on two fronts.    On the heels of its first 10 stores opening in the U.S., Lidl is expanding with more locations. On July 13, the company will open two stores in Virginia (in Chesapeake and Culpeper) and two in North Carolina (Havelock and Wake Forest).  

With plans to expand its commitment to the health, beauty and personal care categories, Fred’s Pharmacy is stepping up its analytics strategy.   By leveraging its 15-year partnership with Nielsen, Fred’s will extend the company’s data insights and analytics services across its 601 stores in 15 states across the southeastern U.S., as well as in future stores. Specifically, the chain will be poised to step up market measurements and consumer targeting services.