Sales & Marketing

Despite a profitable second quarter, 1-800-Flowers.com fell short of expectations.   The company reported a 1.1% revenue growth to $554.6 million for the quarter ending Jan. 1, from $548.4 million the previous year. The company credited its 1-800-Flowers.com and BloomNet segments for the increase, along with modest growth in its Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segment, and e-commerce growth across the Harry & David, Cheryl’s, The Popcorn Factory and 1-800-Baskets brands, the company said.  

In addition to promoting three key executives and adding a new board member, Signet Jewelers is announcing the retirement of two company leaders.    The appointments include the following:  

In addition to reporting a strong quarter of earnings and store openings, H&M is slowing down its store growth and instead, bolstering its digital operations.   The company, which aimed to open 10% to 15% more physical stores each year, reported Tuesday, Jan. 31, is shifting its focus to increasing its omnichannel sales — including both stores and online sales — by 10% to 15% per year, according to H&M.  

Will A. Smith has joined Abercrombie & Fitch Co. as chief marketing officer.   Smith, who will report to president and chief merchandising officer Fran Horowitz, will be responsible for all brand, creative and digital marketing across the chain.   

According to a 2015 Nielsen study, two-thirds of consumers trust consumer opinions over company advertising and rely on peer review sites for insights and advice. However, these sites can cause huge headaches for well-intentioned retailers that incentivize consumers to post glowing reviews or find themselves on the wrong side of a revenge or competitor-sponsored post. When not conducted correctly, these efforts can harm brands and further consumer mistrust.   

Young children looking for the carousel at Westfield’s Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jersey, were disappointed this past holiday season. Their older siblings, cousins, and perhaps even parents, were not.  

The labor market for workers appears to be improving.   Walmart confirmed to media outlets it will speed up the time it takes for new employees to complete a training program and subsequently increase their pay.   The retail two years ago implemented a $9 per-hour minimum wage and last year unveiled a six-month training program called Pathways. Once this program was completed, pay was increased to $10 per hour.  

Consumers have increasingly high expectations for a unified shopping and brand experience across all purchasing channels and touchpoints.   Retailers that can address their demand for more personalization, price, and fulfillment along the path to purchase will be the winners going forward, according to the “Consumer Trends Report — 2017 Edition,” from Kibo. The study is based on responses from more than 3,000 consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom.