Omnichannel

By Michael Haydock

The retail industry might just be the last bastion of the gut instinct.

In my 20 years working with apparel merchants, department stores and big box companies, I've seen bosses make bet-the-company decisions on little more than a "feeling." Retailing is that kind of a business - it's filled with wonderful visionaries who have an uncanny sixth sense for the nascent trend - or, the moment when a powerful trend is about to falter.

As part of our preview coverage of the upcoming International Council of Shopping Centers’ New York deal-making convention in New York City, Dec. 6 and 7, Chain Store Age talked with Joseph Coradino, president of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust/PREIT Services, Philadelphia, about retailer attitude and potential deals at the New York convention.

What do you expect the retailer attitude to be at the ICSC New York deal-making show in early December?

New York - BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, the $1 billion global fashion brand, has launched a new, fast-fashion store concept, Lola, targeted at young women (ages 16 to 26).  The 3,000-sq.-ft. store, has a cool, hip vibe and is designed as an urban studio apartment, complete with fireplace, daybed, spiral staircase,  and closet. Salvaged doors give the storefront a Lower East Side feel.

By Andrew Macey

New York - Online sales on Cyber Monday surged nearly 20% from last year, according to IBM Coremetrics, which tracks shopper behavior on more than 500 e-commerce sites. Many analysts expected Monday's online shopping will tally more than $1 billion for the first time.

Philadelphia - Monetate, which tests, targets, and personalizes websites, has renewed its contract with Canton, Mass.-based Casual Male Retail Group.
"Monetate continues to drive incremental revenue for us because of the exceptional testing and targeting features that it provides,” said Ric Della Bernarda, chief marketing officer and senior VP, Casual Male Retail Group. “With Monetate on our websites, we have the ability to deliver relevant and personalized content to all of our visitors, throughout their online shopping experience."

New York - Nordstrom is putting its foot in the bridal business, opening an in-store bridal boutique called the Wedding Suite at its Chicago flagship on North Michigan Avenue, according to the Chicago Tribune. The department store retailer is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for wedding parties, and will unveiling 14 bridal salons at stores nationwide over the next six weeks, the report said.