Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- Cache said Thursday it has launched a new mobile app shopping experience through its partnership with Usablenet, a mobile and multichannel platform company.

Through the mobile app, customers can now receive relevant content and promotions in a user friendly device. This introduction complements Cache's mobile web store and offers the full range of Cache designs.

When it comes to mobile commerce and digital solutions, Sears Holdings has evolved into a best-in-class company, one that has truly embraced the cross-channel shopping experience. Seeking ways to make shopping more convenient for its customers, the chain was among the first to offer visibility to in-store inventory, as well as the ability to buy online and pick up in-store.

When UGG Australia began evaluating how shoppers wanted to engage with its brand, the footwear company — best known for its popular sheepskin boots — decided to augment its wholesale channel and digital presence with freestanding brick-and-mortar stores.

“Retail [freestanding stores] allows Deckers to showcase the UGG product in ways that many of our partners may be unable [to do],” said Yul Vanek, VP information technology for Deckers Outdoor, the Goleta, Calif.-based parent of UGG, Teva and other banners.

Is your company’s selection process for a service provider exposing you to a higher degree of liability? As an expert witness of risk and liability in exterior maintenance services, I’ve reviewed hundreds of cases whose outcomes would surprise and challenge how many facility managers and property owners review Request for Proposals (RFPs) and select their service provider (SP).

New York City -- A Wednesday report by MarketWatch said that a potential strike by nearly 15,000 dock workers at 14 ports from Boston to Houston beginning on Sunday may derail retailers’ spring selling as well.

By Chris Donnelly, managing director, Accenture Retail

Ahead of the holidays, 56% of U.S. consumers told us that they expected to ‘showroom’ as they bought gifts this year — underlining the threat of online pure play retailers to the success, and even existence, of traditional retailers. However, traditional retailers can compete and even win this battle.

Retail chains are keeping a sharp eye on IT solutions that will deliver a fast return on investment and streamline business operations. A step in the right direction is to transition a legacy-based applications to the cloud, but a lack of understanding among the corporate hierarchy can slow efforts.

Ever since the financial crisis, consumer confidence has labored to regain strength, and spending has been correspondingly subpar. So it’s not surprising that retailers have been extremely reluctant to make big capital outlays. But now there are signs that consumers are loosening their purse strings and, as they do, momentum is building among retailers to renew capital spending on certain projects.