Data & Analytics

Stores mix fashion with the best of digital and physical retail

Rebecca Minkoff has tapped into a sweet spot when it comes to integrating the best of online and offline retail.

The designer’s first two U.S. flagships, in downtown Manhattan and the Pacific Heights section of San Francisco, are showcases for how to use technology to create a highly personalized and engaging shopping experience in a physical space.

Lowe’s, Home Hardware align supply chain with consumer demand

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in February 2014 vs. February 2015 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains.

Focus on concrete moisture and mitigation

Damage to flooring from concrete slab moisture costs U.S. companies upwards of $1 billion each year. When we interviewed flooring industry experts, more than 70% of them reported that they experience moisture issues “often,” with 100% of those surveyed in unanimous agreement that they had experienced some moisture issues.

Moisture issues show up as distorted flooring (such as curling and buckling), adhesive coming through the joints and alkalinity.

Big Lots Inc. did what it was supposed to do in the fourth quarter -- and more, as the discount retailer reported a better-than-expected 3% increase in same store sales.

The company also announced a new omnichannel initiative that it expects to put in place by the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Big Lots has dabbled in online selling in the past, but had discontinued those operations after not getting the strategy down quite right. Now the company says it is looking to fully embrace omnichannel retailing in-store and on its website with a new initiative launching this year.

Do more with less. That’s an overall trend in retail facilities services, where retailers have less resources to run their properties even as they come under pressure to increase service levels while also reducing costs.

Sephora is focusing on developing new strategies and technologies for omnichannel retailing with a new hub situated close to Silicon Velley.

New York -- Installing traffic counters and collecting traffic data is easy. But turning the data into better business results is challenging for even the best retailers. Register now for Chain Store Age’s Webinar, “Three Ways to Get the Most Out of Traffic & Conversion Programs,” which will be held on Wednesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. EST.