Omnichannel

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company is taking its coffee to an entirely new level as it continues to target consumers who are willing to pay for super-premium brews. The company said Tuesday it will offer online customers subscription delivery of its small-lot coffees.

Leading branded footwear company Wolverine is eyeing 2015 as a year to focus on omnichannel and expansion.

The parent company of Stride-Rite, Merrell and other brands says it is poised to realign its resources to address a fundamental shift in consumer shopping behavior and allow for greater focus on important omnichannel initiatives.

Atlanta – Global fashion retailer Bonprix is bringing its marketing activities to the cloud. Bonprix, which is part of Otto Group, is rolling out applications from the Teradata Integrated Marketing Cloud.

I recently had the chance to spend some time talking with Dan Ward, cofounder of app development firm Detroit Labs. Since 2011, Detroit Labs has developed apps in its downtown Detroit center, rapidly growing to 75 employees and serving a wide range of companies including Domino’s Pizza. Here are five tips for developing a successful retail app gleaned from my conversation with Ward:

1. Connect the brick-and-mortar and digital channels

Urban Outfitters is taking its omnichannel strategy to the next level by relocating its e-commerce fulfillment center to a new, 1 million square foot building in Pennsylvania.   The retail company plans to relocate its Trenton, S.C., e-commerce fulfillment center to a new building in Gap, Pa. Construction of the fulfillment center in Gap is on schedule to be complete by July.  

Rockford, Mich. -- Wolverine Worldwide posted fourth-quarter net income of $10.7 million, following a $1.7 million loss for the year-ago period. The company said it is increasing its brand-building investments in 2015, focusing on omnichannel initiatives and international expansion.

After opening 75 stores in the fourth quarter and with expectations for 150 units this year brand powerhouse VF Corporation has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest growing retailers.

VF is best known for brands such as The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica that are sold through other retailers. However, rapid store expansion in recent years has seen the direct-to-consumer business steadily account for a larger percentage of sales.

New York -- Fast-growing VF Corp. continues its aggressive expansion. After opening 75 stores in the fourth quarter, the company plans to open a total of 150 stores this year.

VF, whose banners include Timberland, The North Face, Vans, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica, has long been known for selling products through other retailers. But in recent years it has stepped up its direct-to-consumer business via aggressive store expansion, and the channel is steadily accounting for a larger percentage of sales.