Data & Analytics

The nation’s largest arts and crafts retailer plans to go public this year and the launch of a new ecommerce platform that gives Michaels Stores long overdue online sales capabilities is a key element of its growth strategy.

The only sure thing about disruption is that it will continue evolving at an increasingly rapid pace and in new and surprising directions. But for a last word, perhaps the industry should consider the following prediction from Nikki Baird, managing partner of RSR Research, on where disruption may be headed for 2014.

New York -- Shareholder rights law firm Robbins Arroyo LLP is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Barnes & Noble, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.

The emergence of omnichannel commerce is dramatically changing the retail equation, both in how customers travel the path to purchase and how retailers anticipate and meet customer demand. Mike Webster, senior VP and general manager of Oracle Retail, offered Chain Store Age his perspective on how retailers must alter their approach to both systems and business processes to ensure they deliver a seamless experience across all customer touchpoints, one that both converts sales and builds long-term satisfaction and loyalty.   

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS’ pharmacy has launched the Family Vitamin Center, a new health hub on CVS.com that empowers customers to learn more about the vitamins and supplements that can support their personal health goals. The Center features an interactive questionnaire and guidance tools that provide personalized supplement recommendations identifying which options are best suited to address personal wellness goals or health condition.

Retailers subject to increasing — and costly — environmental scrutiny

“I’m a retailer, not a hazardous waste producer.” If that’s what you think, you may be wrong.

Increased immersion in technology — and increased questions about its effect on people’s lives and privacy. A rise in consumer expectations for speed. A shift to a visual vocabulary and the rise of telepathic technology. These, according to one trend forecast, will be among the main drivers of consumer behavior in 2014.

Newegg opened 2014 with a victory over patent trolls.

"Newegg believes that fighting patent trolls is necessary to serve our customers, and to facilitate entrepreneurship and true innovation," said Lee Cheng, Newegg's chief legal officer. "We support the patent system, but believe it is being abused on a massive scale by patent trolls who want to force entrepreneurs into cash settlements to avoid the high cost of defense."