Store Systems

From mobile tech-savvy teens to the octogenarian shopper, retailers are perhaps for the first time ever addressing the widest and most diverse customer set in history. With life expectancy in the United States at an all-time high, the economy in an upswing and more people connected than ever before through smart phones and smart jewelry, retailers are marketing to increasingly wider and diverging audiences.  

Lowe's is investing in helping its professional customers save time, money and run their businesses more efficiently.

Minneapolis -- Parents and others shopping for toys at Target will no longer be offered product suggestions based on gender.

The retailer announced it plans to start removing gender-based signage in several departments, including toys, bedding and entertainment. Target said it made the decision after feedback and suggestions from customers.

Phoenix — Sprouts Farmers Market has a new CEO.

The company announced a leadership succession plan, effective Aug. 6, whereby CFO Amin Mereda has been appointed CEO. Doug Sanders, currently president and CEO, ascends to the role of  executive chairman.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — A familiar face has returned to head up merchandising at Dollar General.

Dollar General said James W. “Jim” Thorpe had rejoined the company as executive VP and chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Thorpe previously served as Dollar General’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager from May 2006 until he retired in July 2012. 

San Francisco – Twitter is reportedly planning to expand the pilot of its buy button feature, and not by a small amount. According to Re/code, Twitter is negotiating with e-commerce platforms including Shopify to let potentially hundreds of thousands of retailers and other businesses directly sell goods through links embedded in tweets.  

Consumers don’t see “channels.” They are time-starved and information-rich, and use technology that they carry around in their pockets and purses to find the best solutions to their lifestyle needs.

The practice in retail of creating different brand experiences in different channels has gone beyond being an inconvenience to shoppers. It is the central challenge that retailers are grappling with today.

Boston - Shoppers are coming to retailers across a variety of channels and touch-points, and need to have a consistent and personalized experience wherever they are.

Boston-based, 26-store specialty sporting goods chain City Sports is preparing to meet the needs of omnichannel shoppers with help from cloud-based digital marketing platform provider BlueConic,