Sales & Marketing

It may seem a little premature given that school is still in session, but the first back-to-school study has been released.

About 62% of households plan to reduce back-to- school spending compared to 2015, according to a survey by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity. Average spend will be $606, or $1,086 for households with college-age children.

Canadian footwear and accessory retailer The Aldo Group is streamlining e-commerce operations to better satisfy customers and ease international expansion.

Aldo’s previous e-commerce site had issues including inventory inaccuracy, a lack of flexibility and poor performance during high traffic periods. The retailer has overhauled its e-commerce architecture using the SAP Hybris Commerce solution as a new platform.

The Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled retail landscape continues evolving with the launch of what could be called a “fridge commerce” (or “f-commerce”) solution by Samsung.

After months of hype, the Samsung Family Hub connected fridge is officially available. The interactive device includes a number of features that streamline the digital grocery process.

In a not unexpected move, Fairway Group Holding Corp., operator of the Fairway Market supermarket chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company filed a “prepackaged” bankruptcy restructuring under which its lenders agreed to exchange existing debt for new equity and debt in a reorganized company. Supporting lenders agreed to vote in favor of the plan and exchange their loans for common equity and $84 million of debt of the reorganized company.

Well informed. Well connected. Price sensitive.

Those three terms sum up the modern American female consumer, according to a new study from Blackhawk Engagement Solutions, which reveals that that price holds the most weight (75%) when it comes to influencing a purchase, followed by quality (55%). Other factors affecting women’s purchase decisions include brand (31%), store (26%) and availability (14%).

Kohl’s has been offering the Apple Pay mobile payment app for store purchases since June 2015. But the retailer is now taking it to another level, more tightly integrating its private credit and loyalty programs with the third-party platform.

David’s Bridal is expanding south of the border.

The bridal and special occasion retailer is partnering with Diltex, a leading manufacturer and retailer of intimate apparel in Mexico, to open its first franchise location, in Mexico City.

The store is expected to open by the end of 2016 with additional franchise locations planned to open over the next five years across the country.