Omnichannel

One of the world's largest retailers has appointed a new chief executive as its looks to catch up with the online revolution and shore up its home performance.   Carrefour has named Alexandre Bompard, 44, as its new chairman and CEO, effective July 18, ending an eight-month search. He succeeds Georges Plassat, who has served in the top position at the hypermarket retailer, which operates more than 11,900 stores in over 30 countries, since 2012.   

Hudson's Bay Co., whose banners include Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, has lowered the ax.  

As retail sales shift from offline to e-commerce, marketers must learn to adjust trade strategies and budgets to be successful in a digital world.  

Ikea is getting in on the online marketplace game.   The home furnishings giant is embarking on a test that will focus on selling its products on websites other than its own. This move will get merchandise in front of more online customers, according to Reuters.  

Greg Portell, lead partner in the retail practice of A.T. Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm, answers a few questions regarding the news that Nordstrom may go private.    What does this move mean for Nordstrom — how might it play out?  

Digital retailing is intensifying, yet retail associates still don’t have the technology they need to serve customers when they visit in-store.   That's according to “The 2017 Retail Associate Technology Study,” from Salesfloor. The report, which surveyed 254 North American retail associates across a variety of product categories, compensation models and store sizes, explores the connection between store-level employees and the technology they use to serve customers.   

A retailer that does nearly all of its transactions online has the most popular store credit card.   Amazon wins the store card battle, ranking as the top choice among consumers with store cards (32%), followed closely by Target (30%) and then Macy’s (24%).   

Traffic is good at the Mall of America. Arguably Minnesota’s biggest tourist attraction, the 5.5 million-sq.-ft. theme-park-cum-shopping center packs in some 40 million visitors a year. The big challenge for owner Triple Five is how to keep that traffic moving, experiencing, and spending instead of seeking out directions.