Omnichannel

Wearable technology has a way to go before it becomes mainstream, but perhaps not as far as some observers think.  

Just a few short years ago, many people predicted that physical stores would all be replaced by pure-play e-commerce sites.  By now, they thought, brick-and-mortar would be a thing of the past. Though we’ve seen some physical stores close, we’ve also seen some traditionally online retailers open storefronts. The demise of the physical store was greatly overestimated.   

Matt Powers, who formerly held a high-level real estate executive role at Walmart, is shifting professional gears.   Powers has joined real estate services firm JLL Inc. as an executive VP who will serve on the company’s Retail e-commerce Distribution (ReD) platform. He will help advise retailers on their distribution real estate strategies and implement solutions that help clients achieve their supply chain, e-commerce and omni-channel operational goals.  

Another July, another Amazon Prime Day. With the e-tail leader already confirming this retail “holiday” will be back for a third time next July, let’s take a look back at the 2016 edition.   While a lot went well for Amazon during Prime Day this year, we may as well start with the biggest blunder. Namely, the widespread checkout issues that occurred during the morning hours. A glitch caused some U.S. and U.K. shoppers to have difficulties loading items into their shopping carts and/or making purchases.  

An online retailer specializing in men’s custom-tailored suits and menswear, is set to open its third physical location.   Black Label will open a store on July 11 in downtown Chicago this summer, the Chicago Tribune reported. In addition to suits, the store will also shirts, suits, denim, chinos and outerwear.   To date, the retailer has opened a store in Boston, and one in Washington, D.C. It hopes to double its store count next year, the report said.   

Another July, another Amazon Prime Day. With the e-tail leader already confirming this retail “holiday” will be back for a third time next July, let’s take a look back at the 2016 edition.   While a lot went well for Amazon during Prime Day this year, we may as well start with the biggest blunder. Namely, the widespread checkout issues that occurred during the morning hours. A glitch caused some U.S. and U.K. shoppers to have difficulties loading items into their shopping carts and/or making purchases.  

Cabela’s Inc. announced plans to expand to open two new stores, including its first-ever location in New Mexico.   The hunting and fishing retailer will open a 70,000-sq.-ft. store at Legacy at Journal Center, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2017.   The store will offer customers an immersive outdoor experience with a 360-degree mountain and wildlife-display feature, dozens of taxidermy mounts, vintage outdoor photos and memorabilia, and a regionally specific theme.  

A Sam’s Club location opening in Columbia, South Carolina, will be among the first to offer a new mobile payment option.