Omnichannel

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – In its latest move to capitalize on the value of its real estate and raise more cash, Sears Holdings Corp. has formed a joint venture with Simon Property Group whereby Simon will take ownership of 10 Sears stores in Simon malls and lease them back to Sears, who will continue operating Sears stores in the venture. The stores include properties Sears has leased to other entities.

New technology innovations pop up in retail all the time. The Amazon Dash button made a splash on April Fools Day, and before the end of the month Apple Watch will offer consumers a whole new way to engage retailers.

Every time a new retail technology innovation rears its head, pundits proclaim that the whole consumer-retailer relationship will be instantly re-invented. And the relationship between consumers and retailers has changed dramatically since the introduction of e-commerce 20 years ago.

By Christoph Stehmann, Pitney Bowes

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, retail e-commerce sales totaled over $304 billion in 2014, up 15.4% from the prior year. Also, eMarketer predicts that U.S. retail e-commerce sales will total approximately $350 billion in 2015.

The growth in e-commerce sales represents a huge opportunity for U.S. retailers. However, to be successful, retailers need to make sure they have the right shipping strategies and solutions in place to encourage shoppers to purchase goods online.

Modesto, Calif. - Save Mart Supermarkets has chosen NCR and Inmar Digital Promotions Network, a subsidiary of Inmar, to help drive customer loyalty online, mobile and in-store. NCR cloud and marketing retail solutions, combined with Inmar’s targeted digital coupon content and services, will allow Save Mart to manage promotions and loyalty programs while introducing digital coupons that are accessible via multiple sales channels.

Pittsburgh – Smartphone users are looking for something. According to a new report from Branding Brand's Mobile Commerce Index, 43% of all smartphone traffic came from search in first quarter 2015, a 5% increase compared to fourth quarter 2014.

According to the report, 27% of smartphone traffic arrived direct; 16% arrived from email; and 14% arrived from referrals.

San Diego -- Petco announced it has named Michael M. Nuzzo as executive VP and CFO.  Before joining Petco, Nuzzo served as chief administrative officer of the baby gear brand, 4moms. Previously, he served as CFO and executive VP at GNC Holdings, and in various leadership roles at Abercrombie & Fitch.

Los Angeles – Interest in Apple Watch may extend beyond simple “buzz.” Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, found in a survey of more than 6,000 online buyers that there is significant consumer interest in the new wrist-worn mini-computer.

About 5% of online buyers said they wanted to buy the watch now, while 22% said they were interested. The most interested customers’ profile is someone who already uses an iPhone, is an adult under the age of 50, and more likely male.

AT&T has opened one of its largest stores yet, a 9,000-sq. ft. location on Boylston Street in Boston.

The store, which is just a few steps away from the finish line of the Boston Marathon, sets itself apart with an all-glass front and space that spans two floors. A Boston flavor is prevalent throughout the space, starting with an oversized Boston Marathon-themed mural.