Omnichannel

As we head into 2017, retail chief marketing officers are under the gun more than ever before to produce measurable results. Jobs are on the line, as CEOs demand evidence that increased marketing technology investments are paying off. And that spending won’t slow down soon: Gartner recently doubled down on its prediction that CMOs will outspend their CIO counterparts on technology in this coming year.   

The past year saw the opening of dozens of exciting new stores in Manhattan. Here’s my annual list of faves:

• Barneys: In a spectacular homecoming, the upscale retailer opened a stunning flagship downtown on the same block the company was founded in 1923. The multi-level, 55,000-sq.-ft. store combines the ultimate in modern luxe with the latest technology, from beacons to a store clienteling app to mobile checkouts. (101 Seventh Ave.)

Target Corp. is thinking out of the box in urban and other select areas.

The retailer’s flexible format store is designed to allow it to open in locations — ranging from downtown areas to college neighborhoods — that can’t accommodate a big-box footprint. The stores, which also serve as convenient pick-up destinations for online orders, run the gamut in size depending on their location. But most seem to average from about 20,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. The smallest, at 12,000 sq. ft., is in Berkely, Calif.

Macy’s gave more information about its previously announced store closing plans as it unveiled a series of actions to streamline its store portfolio, intensify cost efficiency efforts and execute its real estate strategy.   

Retailers’ returns policies are critical factors in consumers' purchasing decisions. But many consumers are far from pleased with their experience.    This was revealed in Voxware’s third biennial report, which highlights why consumers return items purchased online or by phone and how their experiences with the returns process affects their future intentions to shop with retailers.  

McDonald’s leverages smart technology for onboarding training

Onboarding is a costly process for any company, especially one as vast as McDonald’s Corp. But by transitioning a paper-based operation to a digital one driven by smart devices, the fast food giant is slashing training time in half.

Packed and bursting with opportunities

Ground-up projects are hard to come by here, but shopping center innovation and new retailers are not

Density and diversity. The two D’s. That, in short, is what sums up the Northeast market for retailers. It’s the place where chains with national expansion plans or new formats to test need to be.

The Amazon Marketplace, an online mall that that allows third-party sellers to reach customers around the world, hit big milestones during the holiday season.