Sales & Marketing

The message is clear: Amazon wants to furnish its shoppers’ homes.   The online retailer has made a strong commitment to the furniture category by expanding its merchandise assortment and custom designs. Now it is giving the category even more attention, according to sources that said the Amazon is building at least four massive warehouses focused on fulfilling and delivering bulky items, MarketWatch reported.  

Online retailing is on an upward trajectory that shows no sign of slowing.   In fact, the segment is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of close to 16% between 2017-2021, according to a research forecast from Technavio.  

Retail sales increased in April, led by online, consumer electronics stores and home improvement outlets.     Retail sales in April increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted over March and 3% unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said on Friday. The number, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, was below expectations.  

More than any generation before it, Gen Z has high expectations related to customer service and engagement across emerging channels.   That’s according to a new report by American Express, “Raising the Bar: How Gen Z Expectations Are Reshaping Brand Experiences.” The study, conducted by Forrester Research, surveyed 1,027 North American Gen Y (ages 23 to 37) and Gen Z consumers (ages 16 to 22).   

Growth struggles, including lower-than-expected active user volume, marked Snap’s first quarter as a public company.   The photo-based messaging company, which went public in early March, is growing — albeit slower than expected. For the quarter ended March 31, Snap’s daily active users (DAU) grew to 166 million from 122 million in the first quarter of 2016 — an increase of 36% year-over-year.   

Brooks Brothers is the latest victim of a data breach.   According to the specialty retailer, an unauthorized individual installed malicious software designed to capture payment card information on some of the chain’s payment processing systems. The software compromised payment card information across some purchases made at certain Brooks Brothers and Brooks Brothers Outlet retail locations in the United States and Puerto Rico.  

CBL continued to reduce its credit position with the disposition of mall assets this week and announced the dawning of a new day for the company.   The mall owner and developer closed on the sale of two Tennessee properties for a total of $53.5 million — Foothills Mall in Maryville and College Square in Morristown. Proceeds of the sales, CBL reported, were used to reduce outstanding balances on its lines of credit.  

Consumers are excited by the prospect of retailers taking their loyalty programs digital — if they can keep programs simple.   In fact, a majority of shoppers would prefer if retailers would create digital rewards programs. Not only do 71% of shoppers want the option of managing their loyalty programs on mobile phones, 70% said they would use a mobile version of their loyalty cards if they didn’t have to sign into a website or download an app.