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Store Systems

  • No grout about it, the Tile Shop is surging

    The Tile Shop paved the way for continued growth in the fourth quarter, with an increase in same store sales and profits.

    For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, the specialty retailer reported a 9.8% same store sales increase, a 70.4% gross margin increase, and diluted earnings per share of 7 cents. Net sales grew 13.5% to $71.9 million for the fourth quarter compared with $63.3 million for the prior year quarter. 

  • Hannaford accelerating store pick-up

    The Hannaford grocery chain is expanding its online shopping service at a rapid pace and recently hit a significant milestone.

    The Maine-based retailer recently opened its 25th location with Hannaford To Go. The service is the first of its kind in many regions. After piloting the program successfully in several stores, Hannaford opened 11 additional locations in the past year. The company plans to pursue an aggressive rollout schedule in 2016 as well, based on the success of the program and its popularity with customers.

  • Report: Whole Foods mulls adding tattoo parlors

    Whole Foods shoppers looking for organic kale smoothies and non-GMO dog food could soon also get a tattoo while in-store.

    According to a report from Bloomberg, Whole Foods CEO Walter Robb  says his company’s new 365 chain is going to try some tactics outside of the conventional grocery-store playbook, including setting up tattoo parlors in the stores.

    Read more about the company's plans by clicking here.

  • Tech Bytes: Three Reasons to Buy a Pure Play Retailer

    I previously wrote a column about the benefits opening physical stores can offer pure play online retailers. Inspired by the recent completion of the Hudson’s Bay-Gilt acquisition, this week I’d like to examine three instant advantages purchasing a pure play retailer can provide to brick-and-mortar chains.

    Instant Expertise

  • IHL: Do retailers have their heads in the clouds?

    When it comes to systems infrastructure, retailers are moving in a particular direction.

    According to a new study from IHL Group, “Total Retail SaaS Market,” 26% of all retail spending on software in 2016 in North America will be cloud-based. This includes 60% of retailers’ e-commerce spend and 53% of their BI/analytics and sales/marketing software spend will be on cloud-based systems.

  • Visa makes play in mobile payment space

    Visa Inc. has disclosed an investment stake that indicates it has a strong interest in helping retailers process mobile transactions.

    In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Visa said it holds 3.5 million shares in payment processing provider Square, equal to a 10% stake. The investment was worth about $30 million as of Thursday, Feb. 11.

  • Report: Whole Foods Market considering tattoo parlors in new chain

    Shoppers at Whole Foods Market’s new 365 chain might be able to get a tattoo while they stock up on organic kale smoothies and non-GMO dog food.

    In an interview on Bloomberg TV, Whole Foods CEO Walter Robb says the 365 format is going to try some tactics outside of the traditional supermarket playbook, including setting up tattoo parlors in the stores.

  • What went wrong at Advance Auto parts

    Warm weather hurt sales at Advance Auto Parts in the fourth quarter, but other factors were in play too as the company’s performance lagged competitors.

    The retailer said same store sales were negatively impacted by the timing of the New Year's day holiday, which fell in the 53rd week last year, by the foreign exchange currency fluctuations from its Canadian business, and by warmer winter weather.

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