Sales & Marketing

Amazon is poised to become the biggest clothing retailer in the United States in 2017.   That’s according to a report by Cowen & Co., which sees the Internet giant’s clothing/accessories sales increasing some 30% next year to $28 billion, Geekwire.com reported, and to $62 billion in 2021.   Click here to read more.

The retail loss burden overall is expected to be $132 per person this year.   However, $50 of this loss — about twice as much as in other calendar quarters — is expected to be incurred in this holiday season, according to “The 2016 Retail Holiday Season Global Forecast” from Checkpoint Systems. The report provides an analytical view of business risks that major retailers face during this holiday season.   

Consumer confidence experienced an October surprise of sorts after reaching a nine-year high in September.   The index now stands at 98.6, down from 103.5 last month.  

Despite sales gains, Cabela’s experienced profit losses for the third quarter.   For the quarter ended Oct. 1, 2016, the outdoor retailer’s total revenue increased 7.6% to $996.5 million; revenue from retail store sales increased 8.1% to $688.6 million; Internet and catalog sales increased 3.6% to $167.4 million; and financial services revenue increased 8.8% to $134.5 million.   

Chain Store Age is sponsoring a webinar that will reveal new market research from the International Institute for Analytics. Learn about IIA’s retail industry analytics maturity index and the characteristics of the highest-performers—and see how your company measures up.     “Competing on analytics” is no longer a mystery. Find out how your company can get with the program.  

Amid “sluggish retail conditions,” VF Corp.’s Under Armour division posted gains for the third quarter.   Under Armour’s net revenues increased 22% in third quarter 2016 ended Sept. 30, 2016, to $1.47 billion compared $1.20 billion for the same period last year. Net income increased 28% to $128 million, compared with $100 million for third quarter last year.  

One year after launching, Samsung Pay is expanding the program’s reach and functionality.   Samsung Pay is now available in three new countries, including Malaysia, Russia and Thailand, which will make the mobile wallet accessible to consumers across 10 countries by the end of 2016.   

A retailer that specializes in natural, plant-based wellness and beauty products is hoping to make a big splash in the United States.    Saje Natural Wellness will open its first U.S. store at the end of November, in Malibu, California, with plans to open 25 additional locations in 2017. The company’s stores are designed to offer a sensorial and educational experience, allowing engagment with the products on display.