Sales & Marketing

The off-price retailer sector will continue to build momentum and outperform the apparel retail segment during the next five years.   That’s according to a new report, "Off-Price Retailers Continue to Build Momentum on Value Appeal,” by Moody's Investors Service. Off-price retailers are anticipated to experience apparel revenue growth of 6% - 8%, outperforming the broader apparel segment by a collective 4% in the timeframe.  

A curated selection of Sony entertainment products and technologies — some of which are still in the prototype stage — are on display at the new Sony Square NYC.    Located in the company's New York City headquarters on Madison Avenue, the 2,400-sq.-ft. store also will host consumer events, including photography classes, exclusive movie screenings and invitation-only performances by Sony Music artists.  

Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, and Mark Lore, co-founder and CEO of Jet.com, discussed Walmart’s acquisition of the online site and other industry topics on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”  

In-store background music isn’t just for the enjoyment of customers and associates anymore.   PetSmart has selected Mood Media to take the audio experience to a whole new level with customized music designed to appeal not only to shoppers but also their four-legged friends.  

Regency Centers announced it has closed on land that will house the central shopping center in Tustin Legacy, a master-planned community taking shape in Orange County, California. Development costs are expected to hit $40 million.   The 112,000-sq.-ft. Village at Tustin Legacy will be anchored by a Stater Bros. Market, and Regency reports that 80% of the remaining retail space is leased or committed. It will be the 11th property for Regency in Orange County, following on the recently completed Village at La Floresta in Brea.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding its footprint in the Houston market.   The retailer is looking to open six stores this fall in the Houston area, up from the five it had previously announced, the Houston Business Journal reported.   In November, General Growth Properties announced it had signed lease agreements with Dick’s to open in five GG shopping centers in Houston: Baybrook Mall, Deebrook Mall, First Colony Mall, The Woodlands Mall, and Willowbrook Mall.

Hhgregg announced several key executive appointments. The news comes on the heels of the appointment of interim CEO Robert Riesbeck as permanent chief of the consumer electronics and appliance retailer.    The moves include the promotion of former VP of marketing and nine-year company veteran Chris Sutton to senior VP of marketing, with oversight for all marketing initiatives as well as Hhgregg’s growing e-commerce channel. Sutton previously worked in advertising and brand marketing for The Walt Disney Company.  

Coles Supermarkets, one of Australia’s largest supermarket retailers, is deploying a new solution to improve customer checkout experiences and operational efficiency.   The retailer is adding NCR’s RealPOS XR8 as its future POS terminals. Coles also plans to upgrade more than 4,000 POS units in the next financial year.