Omnichannel

In partnership with PlaceWise Media, CBL & Associates Properties has launched websites with technology that connects retailers and customers at 27 of its malls.

The technology collects deals offered by retailers and puts them in front of shoppers via smartphones and tablets. It provides every retailer and restaurant in a mall with an online presence that enables each to engage local customers.

Philadelphia – Net sales at Urban Outfitters for the two months ended Dec. 31, 2013, increased to $716 million, or 8% from the same period in the previous year. Same-store retail segment net sales, which include the direct-to-consumer channel, increased 3%.

Same-store retail segment net sales increased 21% at Free People and 11% at Anthropologie and decreased 6% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales increased 21%.

Women’s apparel retailer Cato has made its debut into the world of online shopping with the launch of its first ever e-commerce site. The announcement came as the retailer reported holiday sales for the five-week period ended Jan. 4.
 
Founded in 1946, Cato operates approximately 1,100 apparel and accessories specialty stores throughout the United States. With so many brick-and-mortar locations, the ability to supplement in-store inventory with an e-commerce strategy geared toward a new generation of connected shoppers became crucial for continued growth.

Former shopper marketing executive turned Walmart SVP of creative Andy Murray will share his views on the retail industry’s evolving omnichannel landscape during a keynote presentation at the annual Shopper Marketing Summit.
 

Franklin, Tenn. – A majority of retailers want their next POS software to have omni-channel capabilities. According to a new research study from IHLGroup, “Stores Reinvented: 11th Annual Store Systems Study,” 63% of retailers say their next POS software will utilize a single business logic that can be used for POS, mobile POS, m-commerce and e-commerce functions.

Staten Island, N.Y. -- Women’s apparel retailer Cato has made its debut into the world of online shopping with the launch of its first ever e-commerce site. With the help of its implementation partner Celerant Technology, the new website will support the growth of the brand and will offer the same collections as its brick-and-mortar stores, as well as additional sizes, colors and exclusive items.

Macy’s rocked the retail world late Wednesday announcing record holiday sales while simultaneously cutting 2,500 jobs and detailing plans to close five stores.

Stamford, Conn. -- Design Within Reach, Inc., a multi-channel retailer of modern furniture, selected NetSuite as its core business management platform to support the company's growth. Design Within Reach plans to begin by leveraging NetSuite to power its core financials/ERP, inventory management, point-of-sale and order management processes.