Sales & Marketing

By Shah Karim, Saferock

If it hasn't done so already, the consumer experience will undoubtedly include omnichannel shopping, mobile, and social media as part of what consumers do naturally. Based on this inevitable evolution of how customers engage with retailers, here are seven retail “megatrends” which will become reality by 2020.

Sears Holdings continues to lose money –- lots of it –- and same store sales declined again during the holidays, but the severity of the company’s losses have diminished, which has Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert believing further improvement is coming as the company transforms to what he calls “a leading integrated membership-focused company.”  

New York -- Rebecca Minkoff’s New York flagship combines advanced technology with the designer’s fashion-forward apparel and accessories to create a highly engaging and immersive shopping experience — one that’s right in sync with the brand’s omnichannel- and mobile-savvy customer base. It’s also in sync with the ethos of the designer herself, who has entered the wearable tech market, with a bracelet that alerts the wearer to calls and texts, and a cuff that charges mobile device

Nordstrom is doing all the right things when it comes to store traffic, e-commerce and customer service, but it wasn’t enough for Wall Street in the fourth quarter.

Nordstrom’s same store sales grew 4.7% in the fourth quarter; online sales grew to now represent 40% of the store’s business. And just this month the company was ranked No. 1 in the United States in terms of customer service, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

As the popularity of online reviews continues to increase among shoppers, Walgreens announced it is working with a Yelp-like website to make it easier for patients to read reviews about the medications they take.

Now, anyone researching a medication or filling a prescription on Walgreens.com can access a simple snapshot that shows how their prescribed medication has impacted other patients on the therapy, including medication side effects, as reported by PatientsLikeMe members.

Cedar Hill, Texas -- Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, has announced a multi-million dollar renovation of the 610,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Cedar Hill, Texas; the redo includes a re-brand, enhanced entrances, upgraded landscaping, common area improvements, a new children’s play area, new amenities for adults and children, and new signage throughout the property.

In addition, Trademark is working with several prospective junior anchors to add to the merchandising mix.
 

New York – Loyalty brand agency Bond Brand Loyalty, a Maritz company, has launched SynapzeSHOP, a new consumer mobile loyalty solution for CPG brands. With SynapzeSHOP, brands can offer consumers a personalized, branded mobile loyalty and rewards experience.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc.’s fourth-quarter net income fell a lower-than-expected 4.9% to $255 million, down from $268 million a year earlier, even as its same-store sales topped expectations. The profit decline came amid higher costs, including those related to tech upgrades and its acquisition of Trunk Club, and increased promotions at Nordstrom Rack.