Sales & Marketing

Online shoppers looking for a sofa in that perfect shade of leather will enjoy new technology being rolled out by Wayfair.

The leading furniture e-commerce retailer announced that, in partnership with tech solutions provider roOomy, high-resolution image renderings based on 3D product models will be available on DwellStudio and Birch Lane. Now, customers shopping on these sites will be able to experiment with multiple textures and fabrics, and see 360-degree views to find the perfect pieces of furniture for their home.

Since its launch in July, Jet.com is surpassing other retailers on gross merchandise value and doing a good job of building customer loyalty, according to Channeladvisor.

According to The Washington Post, Jet has had a 23% repeat buyer rate, better than the 17% seen at eBay and the 11% seen at Amazon during the same time period.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association introduced its second Retail Energy Management Report, a resource for companies to compare energy management programs across the industry and identify opportunities for progress.

The report was released prior to the opening of RILA’s 2015 Retail Sustainability Conference, now in its eighth year.

Taco Bell has developed a new store design and banner for the brand’s expansion into urban markets.

The new model — designed in house — eliminates the drive-thru and uses technology to help simplify and modernize the restaurant experience. The format, called Taco Bell Cantina, will debut in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago on Tuesday, Sep. 22. The second will open in San Francisco later this month. And in a big change for the company, Cantina customers will be able to buy wine or beer to accompany their tacos.  

Toys”R”Us says a planned decrease in promotions led the retailer to report a drop in same store sales in the second quarter.

The retailer singled out declines in the baby, entertainment and seasonal categories as contributing to the comp drop as well.However new CEO Dave Brandon sounded a positive tone regarding the company’s profit potential.

The term “omnichannel” has been bandied about so much that some feel it is simply a buzzword, but retailers are taking it seriously and working to implement omnichannel solutions and practices.

According to a new survey of executives at tier one and two retailers by digital technology provider Happiest Minds, 64% of retailers are putting an omnichannel strategy in place and there seems to be a widespread acknowledgement of omnichannel as a key strategy lever.

Sephora is offering some colorful store services. The specialty beauty retailer is unveiling two new features of its Color IQ foundation service, which it operates in partnership with Pantone, in all U.S. stores.

These two new complimentary in-store services let customers filter through Pantone’s SkinTone library and determine their most flattering colors from more than 3,500 lipstick shades and more than 400 concealer shades.

Sears Holdings has turned to a veteran of tech and innovation companies to lead the business unit in charge of the company's most iconic brands.

The company has named Tom Park as president of the retailer's Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard division.