Supply Chain & Merchandising

Google is testing a feature that allows users to search for specific products nearby or in a specific area using voice commands.    According to a report by MediaPost, the feature, similar to a search experience, provides the users with a response (verbal in this case) based on local inventory around them.   

The nation’s largest auto dealership chain is expanding its brand into new areas of the automotive retail sector.    AutoNation announced it will debut a new format, a standalone concept called AutoNation USA, that will be dedicated to used-car sales and also serve as service centers, offering scheduled maintenance and repair work along with express service. The company has identified 25 sites to launch the concept, with five expected to open in 2017.     

Despite gains in the third quarter, Amazon’s stock fell 6% in extended trading.   The pure-play retailer’s net sales increased 29% to $32.7 billion for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, 2016, compared with $25.4 billion in third quarter 2015. The company credits the jump to $52 million in year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter.  

Town Center Plaza, an 82,000-sq.-ft. center in Palm Desert, California, near Joshua Tree National Park, has been acquired by Citivest Commercial Investments for $19.8 million.   Constructed in 1993, the center’s tenants include Trader Joe’s, Michael’s, Fisherman’s Market and Grill, and Tuesday Morning. Colliers International brokered the deal on behalf of the seller, Town Center Plaza LP.  

Knowing frazzled customers are in search of overall value, Walmart is emphasizing customer service this holiday season.   

Constraints due to inventory levels took a toll on Tuesday Morning’s first quarter earnings.    The off-price home decor retailer reported a net loss of $8.9 million for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016. Net sales for the quarter were $211.9 million, which is an increase from $9.6 million from the prior year. Same-store store sales increased 5.1%, however the company’s operating loss for the first quarter was $9.2 million.   

Boot Barn’s second quarter performance rose slightly, meeting Wall Street estimates.    The western-influenced specialty retailer reported $134 million in revenue for the second quarter ending Sept. 24, 2016, a 3.3% increase from $129.7 million in the prior-year period. This jump also exceeded Wall Street’s estimate of $131.61 million. Boot Barn credited the increase to 13 new stores opened over the past 12 months, and a 1.8% increase in same-store sales. Two of those stores opened the chain during the second quarter.

While Black Friday comes just once a year, most retailers have probably been planning for the major shopping day – and the rest of the holiday season – for quite some time now. For shoppers, Black Friday through Cyber Monday – also known as “Cyber Week” – are all about scoring the best deals on gifts for their family and friends. And similar to recent years, most shoppers won’t simply be flooding physical stores this holiday season. Rather, they will also take advantage of deals through e-commerce websites and mobile apps.