Omnichannel

New York -- U.S. retailers are struggling to meet the demands of consumers, according to a report by Accenture. An overwhelming majority (82%) of consumers expect a retailer’s prices to be the same in-store and online, up 13% over last year’s study, but only 34% of retailers met this expectation for more than 80% of the items assessed, Accenture found.

Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets is set to expand online shopping with in-store pick-up to its 26th location, making the service available at its West Lawn, Pennsylvania, store.
 

Facebook is aiming to revolutionize the way customers communicate with retailers by re-inventing the customer service platform.

The tech giant is inviting retailers and other companies to develop software that allows customers to communicate instantly with them through Facebook Messenger. Facebook and its partner Zendesk, a customer service platform firm, are teaming up to allow businesses to provide scalable and responsive customer service to the more than 600 million people worldwide who use Messenger.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters is expanding its global retail presence with a series of licensed stores throughout Chile and Peru, building on existing growth markets throughout the region, including Colombia, Panama and the Caribbean, as well as company owned stores in Mexico.

The company has signed a multi-year license agreement with Eurofashion Limitada, a leading Chilean company and division of the Cencosud S.A. Group specialized in developing national and international fashion brands.

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. on Wednesday reported a loss of $26 million in its fiscal fourth quarter.

The teen apparel retailer reported revenue of $231.6 million in the period, which topped Street forecasts. Same-store sales increased 6%.

Yet another study has documented retailers’ inability to keep pace with shoppers’ heightened expectations for a seamless experience driven by all manner of technological advancements.

Specialty apparel retailer American Eagle had a solid fourth quarter and now is eyeing growth opportunities far from its home market by teaming up with leading South American retail conglomerate Cencosud.