Omnichannel

STAMFORD, Conn. — GE Capital Retail Bank’s second annual Major Purchase Shopper Study has found that a growing number of consumers extensively research and compare prices and financing offers before making major purchases.

Sport Chalet has opened its first urban retail concept, at the renovated FIGat7th center in downtown Los Angeles. Sleek and contemporary looking, the 27,000-sq.-ft. store puts the emphasis on education and training, with a dedicated central area, the “Expert Center,” for classes and clinics. It’s designed to facilitate customer interaction with in-store experts on any topic, ranging from bike repair to the area’s best surfing spots.

Miami -- Burger King Worldwide said that it has now added Salt Lake City to the list of markets employing home-delivery.

"BK Delivers is already performing well in Boston, New York, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas, Sacramento, greater Washington, D.C., Phoenix and Denver,” said Petru Pusta, director retail innovation, Burger King Worldwide. The program allows consumers in each delivery zone to customize and order Burger King menu items by phone or online.

Walmart, Target, Best Buy and other retailers created a cooperative nearly a year ago to develop a mobile payment approach and this week they welcomed another major player to the fold.

NEW YORK — Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo, a division of Fast Company, is expanding its U.S. footprint with the opening of 10 stores this fall in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and California.

The new locations, all in shopping centers, will bring the brand’s presence in the United States to a total of 17 sites.

Boston – According to a new report from the Universal Commerce Innovation Exchange and Aite Group, “Strategies for Mobile Investments – Ensuring Success,” retailers need to think differently about how they achieve ROI from their mobile commerce strategies. This different mode of thinking includes:

LOS ANGELES — PriceGrabber, a division of CPL Holdings, has appointed Jeff Goldstein as president. In his new role Goldstein will direct strategy and oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. 

Redmond, Wash. -- In an internal email to all employees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced a sweeping internal realignment he said will build upon a strategy launched last year to bring Microsoft more fully into the devices and services market.

The company will reduce emphasis on its traditional strong point of consumer and business software, such as the Windows OS and Office suite of desktop applications, and focus more on computing devices such as Xbox and Surface and on services delivered to mobile device users.