Sales & Marketing

India tops an annual list of the 30 top developing countries for retail investment, pushing China, which took the No. 1 spot for the past several years, into second place.  

Sephora is upgrading its app-based digital makeover experience.   The beauty chain is expanding the functionality of its Sephora Virtual Artist, an augmented reality-based feature on its mobile app that enables shoppers to digitally try on make-up. The app’s new Cheek Try On service allows users to virtually try on over 1,000 shades of cheek color, including blush, bronzer, contour, and highlighter shades available in single colors and palettes.   

Consumers rank Wegmans, Publix Super Markets, and Amazon.com as the top three companies when it comes to corporate social responsibility efforts.   

More U.S. online shoppers are buying items from international retailers. To compete against these lower prices, U.S brands to step up personalization efforts.  

J.C. Penney is determined to become college-bound co-eds’ shopping destination for all of their dorm room needs.  

Supermodel, designer, TV star and all-around celebrity Heidi Klum is teaming up with an unusual partner.    On the heels of its entry into the United States, German discount grocer Lidl announced its first ever fashion collaboration, with Heidi Klum. The collection, described as high-end yet affordable, will be available exclusively at Lidl and will launch across its stores in Europe and the United States later this year. Collections will be featured at certain times throughout the year, during "Lidl Fashion Weeks.”

The public feud between Eddie Lampert, chairman and CEO of Sears, and a top supplier seems to have been resolved.   In his May 15 blog, Lampert took aim at some of the chain’s vendors in a blog post. It read:  

New shopping center development in the Chicago metropolitan area will barely top 1 million sq. ft. in 2017, a nearly 50% plunge from just two years ago, according to Mid-America Real Estate Corporation.   “While new construction is not as robust as previous years, adaptive reuse of existing retail space continues to offer an opportunity for expanding retailers,” said Andy Bulson, the company’s director of suburban tenant representation.   Where new GLA does appear, reveal