Sales & Marketing

Retailers looking for a competitive advantage in these competitive times should consider their restrooms.  

Having reached a 15-year peak on February, consumer confidence reached a new peak in March, now standing at its highest level in 16 years.   The index's current reading is 125.6, up from 116.1 in February.   “Consumer confidence increased sharply in March to its highest level since December 2000 (Index, 128.6),” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.   

The pizza chain is getting ready to introduce the newest member of its delivery team.   Through its partnership with Starship Technologies, Domino’s will begin using wheeled robots to deliver pizza in Hamburg, Germany. The first deliveries could begin in the next two months, according to ReCode.   

Later this week, the nomination of Alexander Acosta to be the next Secretary of Labor will likely be voted out of the Senate HELP Committee and head for confirmation on the Senate floor. The administration made headlines just prior to his confirmation hearings outlining cuts to the Department of Labor budget in the neighborhood of $2.5 Billion or roughly 20%.   

The party is over for shoppers that enjoyed tax-free online shopping — on Amazon, anyway.   Starting on April 1, Amazon will collect sales tax from all states that have a tax levy. Only the five states that do not have a state sales tax — Alaska, Delaware, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire — will remain exempt.   

When it comes to expanding its store portfolio, At Home has barely gotten started.   Reporting strong results for the fourth quarter and full year, the home décor retailer also said it plans to open 25 new stores this year, with the potential for almost 500 more locations over the long term.    

A few select malls will be the benefactors of what might prove to be the entertainment sensation of the year — a virtual reality version of "Justice League 2017."   IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have announced a virtual reality co-venture that will issue three interactive VR versions of upcoming Warner Bros. blockbusters. "Justice League" will be the first, scheduled to hit IMAX cinemas for the holiday season, to be followed by "Aquaman" and a yet-to-be-determined film franchise.

Walmart is going on the offense as German grocery giant Lidl prepares to enter the United States this summer.   The discounter has rolled out a new prototype for its Neighborhood Market grocery-store concept in a handful of markets nationwide.