Store Systems

Price match guarantees and claims of fantastic deals have become passé, so Staples is employing a new promotional tactic this holiday season that speaks directly to its core customer.

Staples is making the same claims as virtually every other retailer about its great deals, convenient shopping and omnichannel capabilities. However, to take those claims a step further in a way that speaks to its core customers, Staples has created a limited duration promotion it’s calling the “Business Savings Event.”

In preparation for the holiday rush, retailers have begun the timely process of interviewing, hiring and training seasonal employees.

Establishing an Internet of Things (IoT) technology strategy may not be easy, but can offer substantial rewards to retailers who overcome the inevitable challenges.

“There is a vast opportunity to use IoT technology to connect retailers with their assets and consumers,” said Michael Colaneri, VP of sales for restaurant, retail and CPG, AT&T, during an exclusive interview with Chain Store Age. “But it requires business process re-engineering to connect multiple edgepoints.”

DSW Inc. has promoted its omnichannel retailing chief to be its new CEO as the company positions itself for long-term growth.

The company said Roger L. Rawlins, executive VP and CIO, will succeed Michael R. MacDonald as CEO effective Jan. 1. MacDonald, who is retiring from DSW and from the board of directors, will remain with the company through the end of the year to help ensure a smooth transition. Rawlins will be appointed to the DSW board effective Jan. 1.

Apps currently dominate the mobile payment space, but that may not be a permanent situation.

According to a new infographic from mobile engagement provider Mobiquity Inc., the industry is on its way to a ‘no-app’ payment landscape. Mobiquity predicts that operating systems, rather than applications, will define the future of mobile payments.

The infographic lists several data points suggesting consumers and retailers do not find mobile payment convenient. These include:

Two new offerings from Pinterest make the visually-oriented social media platform even more accessible for e-commerce.

Establishing an Internet of Things (IoT) technology strategy may not be easy, but can offer substantial rewards to retailers who overcome the inevitable challenges.

“There is a vast opportunity to use IoT technology to connect retailers with their assets and consumers,” said Michael Colaneri, VP of sales for restaurant, retail and CPG, AT&T, during an interview with Chain Store Age. “But it requires business process re-engineering to connect multiple edgepoints.”

Office Depot achieved impressive third quarter same-store sales growth and asserted that its merger with Staples could close as early as this year.