Store Systems

Stein Mart has launched a new website that gives shoppers a more personalized shopping experience.   Developed in partnership with Kibo, a cloud-based unified omnichannel commerce platform, the updated site is powered by the Kibo e-commerce platform. As part of Stein Mart’s overall omnichannel strategy, the feature-rich and responsive designed site gives the retailer the same experience across all of its retail touch-points.  

Self-service checkout technology, including dedicated lanes and smartphone apps, may translate into an increased shrinkage rate for retailers.   That’s according to a study of retailers in the United States, Britain and other European countries conducted by the University of Leicester in England, the New York Times reported.  

Target Corp. has brought its new flexible-format store model to Chicago’s Lincoln Park North.   The 33,000-sq.-ft. store, which features Target’s first Freshii café, has been carefully curated for the neighborhood, and includes home items sized for condos and small space living and artwork that reflects the local culture and community. The creative force behind the bold art installations was hometown artist Cody Hudson and his team at Struggle Inc.  

A start-up consumer electronics retailer has deployed a friendly-looking, white plastic robot named Pepper to greet shoppers.   In a two-week test, high-tech retailer B8ta is the first retail store in the United States to deploy the humanoid robot, which is from Japan’s SoftBank Robotics, Mercurynews.com reported.   

The back-to-school season is now in motion, kick-starting a series of peak holidays for retailers. Everything that follows is an opportunity.  

Macy’s Inc. announced that it will close 100 full-line namesake stores as part of a wider effort to improve its business and succeed in an omnichannel environment. The move comes after six straight quarters of declining same-store sales.      The department store giant said it plans to concentrate its resources on the best-performing locations, and to invest in those stores by adding new vendor shops, increasing the size and quality of staff and new technology.  

Pottery Barn opened its redesigned store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California.    The 17,293-sq.-ft. store is influenced by the Spanish Mediterranean architecture found throughout Orange County, blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a refined and relaxed environment. As part of Pottery Barn’s commitment to sustainability, the store features LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and low VOC paints to reduce toxins.  

Weis Markets on Thursday announced it has upgraded its Weis Reward Points Program to include the option of a 5% discount when customers use their Weis Preferred Shopper Club card and make a qualifying $100 purchase in a Weis Markets store. The discount can be redeemed on a customer’s future order.