Sales & Marketing

Regional grocer deploys mobile emergency communications system
H-E-B is taking steps to keep its employees, customers and food supply safe. The supermarket retailer is modernizing its emergency communications with a software platform from AlertMedia that combines multichannel, two-way messaging and 24/7 monitoring services. The infrastructure consolidates communication channels – such as voice, text, e-mail, social media, and Slack – enabling users to interact with its audience from any mobile device.
Target Exercises Flexibility
Target Corp. is thinking out of the box in urban and other select areas.
The retailer’s flexible format store is designed to allow it to open in locations — ranging from downtown areas to college neighborhoods — that can’t accommodate a big-box footprint. The stores, which also serve as convenient pick-up destinations for online orders, run the gamut in size depending on their location. But most seem to average from about 20,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. The smallest, at 12,000 sq. ft., is in Berkely, Calif.

When it comes to overstoring, China’s the champ

U.S. real estate developers and brokers coping with epic changes in the retail landscape can take some solace from the fact that, when it comes to overstoring, America’s got nothing on China. A list of cities with the most shopping center space under construction from CBRE Research had Chinese cities occupying 11 of the top 12 spots, led by Chongqing with 39.8 million sq. ft. being built. Shenzhen (38.7 million) and Chengdu (37.6 million) weren’t far behind.
Innovation in Spotlight at X/SPECS

Innovation is today’s buzzword. And it was all the talk at Chain Store Age’s X/SPECS 2016, as key executives from some of the nation’s leading retail and restaurant chains zeroed in on real-world strategies designed to innovate stores and elevate customer experiences.
CBRE acquires real estate tech company

CBRE announced it has acquired Floored, a provider of 3-D graphics technology that helps retailers envision build-outs of their commercial space. Its SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions figure to quickly be incorporated into CBRE’s leasing operations.
Expanding North

DLC Management Corp.’s grocery-anchored shopping centers can be found in places such as Dallas; Milwaukee; Columbus, Ohio; and Birmingham, Ala.; but the company has a special stake in the Northeast. In October, DLC closed the biggest deal in its history, acquiring a passel of 16 centers, all but one of them in New York state. Chain Store Age Real Estate Editor Al Urbanski talked with DLC CEO Adam Ifshin and asked him what retailers need to know about the Northeast market.
Fazoli’s Tackles Overtime Head On

With some 2,975 team members in its 123 company-owned restaurants and support center, Fazoli’s, the nation’s largest fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, estimates 210 employees are directly impacted by the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules. CSA spoke with company president and CEO Carl Howard about the chain’s strategy regarding the regulations, which take effect on Dec. 1.
How do you think the new overtime rule will impact your workplace?
Macy’s details store closings, restructuring amid poor holiday sales

Macy’s gave more information about its previously announced store closing plans as it unveiled a series of actions to streamline its store portfolio, intensify cost efficiency efforts and execute its real estate strategy.
Election: Don’t Pop the Cork Yet

In the days and weeks since Election Day, much has been written about the impact results will have on store and restaurant operators. Other than some unease regarding trade and consumer confidence, entry-level employers generally feel optimistic about what might lie ahead with policy changes to taxes, wages and healthcare.
Most employers feel like they had a big “win” election night and in many cases, they may be right. But I think it’s a little early for employers to lace up their shoes for a collective victory lap around the boardroom.
Chief Marketing Officers: Four Steps to Succeed with Lifecycle Marketing in 2017

As we head into 2017, retail chief marketing officers are under the gun more than ever before to produce measurable results. Jobs are on the line, as CEOs demand evidence that increased marketing technology investments are paying off. And that spending won’t slow down soon: Gartner recently doubled down on its prediction that CMOs will outspend their CIO counterparts on technology in this coming year.