Omnichannel

Walmart recently announced a pilot program where its associates would be given the option to deliver online orders on their way home from work. Two industry experts offer their comments on the program below:   

Shoppers are demanding that retailers treat them as individuals, and eBay is listening.   eBay is launching an enhanced, more personalized eBay shopping experience through a new homepage that is responsive to its individual customers’ interests. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology, eBay is tailoring recommendations across all categories during each shopper’s new site visit, and serving up an inventory mix that's unique only to them.    

It is the end of an era in retail. One of the most prominent — and legendary — chief executives in retail is stepping down.   Millard “Mickey” Drexler will step down after almost 15 years as J. Crew’s CEO as of July. He will continue in his role as chairman. Drexler is the former CEO of Gap Inc., which he built into a retail powerhouse. He was abruptly fired in 2002 by Gap founder Donald Fisher amid slumping sales and the chain's falling stock. (Prior to Gap, Drexler oversaw a turnaround of Ann Taylor.)

Billabong has a new finance chief.   The board sports apparel retailer has named Jim Howell as CFO, effective June 12. He will replace Peter Myers, who has served in the role since January 2013. Howell has spent the last 10 years leading the finance and treasury division at luxury retailer Nordstrom. In this role, he oversaw significant cost management improvements, capital management and growth initiatives.  

“Retail that can be replaced by the Internet is suffering. We’re trying to give an experience with great architecture, places to hang out and good people,” Regency Centers’ John Mehigan told the Orange County Register last week. That means food and beverage concepts, and lots of them.  

Walmart is no stranger to innovation. However, when defining the secret to the company’s success, Walmart’s chief executive Doug McMillon said he just has to look within the company’s proverbial four walls.  

An online clothing brand best known for its signature shirts that are designed to be worn untucked is going to open at Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota.    Untuckit will open a 1,300-sq.-ft. outpost  at the giant mall this fall. It will be the company's first store in Minnesota, and carry shirts for both men and women.      

Even with a jump in sales, unanticipated operating expenses and e-commerce snafus took a toll on Boot Barn’s fourth quarter for fiscal 2017.