Sales & Marketing

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Customer satisfaction with goods and services purchased and consumed in the U.S. suffered a fifth consecutive quarterly decline, sending the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to its lowest point since 2006. According to the ACSI, the national level of customer satisfaction is down 0.7% to 74.7 on a 100-point scale in the first quarter of 2015 and is off 2.7% since peaking in the fourth quarter 2013.

Hong Kong – A subsidiary of global export company Li & Fung is partnering with two Chinese department store retailers to open as many as 300 stores in the Shanghai free trade zone. Li & Fung Trading (China) Holdings Ltd. is forming a joint venture with Shanghai Bailian Group Co. Ltd. and Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Co. Ltd. Li & Fung holds a 20% stake and each department store chain owns a 40% stake.

New York - Kate Spade & Co. is naming Emilia Fabricant as executive VP, president of North America, effective June 29. In this role, Fabricant will oversee the company's North America business, with responsibilities across all distribution channels, and will report to Craig A. Leavitt, CEO.  

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Retailers who target a consumer base of moms have some new competition. PatPat is a new, free-to-download app for iOS and Android that brings moms direct access to manufacturers of clothing, toys, electronics and home goods at a price that is up to 90% less than traditional retailers.  

A major U.S. retailer has launched preorders for the Pebble Time, just days after the Apple Watch became available at Apple's own retail stores.

Best Buy is selling red, white and black versions of the Time for $200 each. The retailer has yet to say when the watch will be available for in-store shopping. The smartwatch is available for sale only through the manufacturer and Best Buy.

Dufftown, Scotland - Providing customers with their own unique experience with the brand is of the upmost importance to Scotch whisky provider Glenfiddich. The company is using interactive technology to let customers located in Thailand virtually tour the Glenfiddich Distillery located in Dufftown, Scotland.

Minneapolis – Furniture retailer Room & Board has aligned its online and in-store customer experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s predictive digital marketing capabilities. Room & Board has improved the customer experience and delivered more relevant information, which in turn has increased the average order value by 16% and delivered a 2,900% ROI payback during a two-month period.

This has resulted in a significant increase in online sales and improved loyalty.

Whole Foods Market is kicking off summer with a slew of promotions designed to appeal to the shopper who keeps a healthy lifestyle.

From June 24 to June 30, the retailer’s Whole Body departments will host events, classes, demonstrations and promotions* to showcase Whole Foods Market’s large selection of active living products—from protein powders and superfoods to sun-care and reusable water bottles.