News Briefs

One-third of the U.S. retail workforce is not given a dedicated mobile device today, with the largest retailers being least likely to give each employee a device for their exclusive use.

That's according to a new  study conducted for Zebra Technologies by Coresight Research, which found that 34% of U.S. retail employees, or 7.7 million associates in all, lack mobile devices for their exclusive use.

The report, "Success at Hand: Equipping Frontline Workers with More Mobile Devices to Drive Revenue and Delight Customers,"  indicates that 40% of employees working for large retailers either have to share a mobile device or go without one. Mass merchandisers and companies with over $1 billion in revenue ranked above average in terms of the proportion of workers without their own mobile devices at their companies.

Those who work in store operations (42%), merchandising (37%) or on the store floor (34%) are the least likely to have dedicated devices even though they are often considered to be among the most mobile-dependent team members and highly influence shopper satisfaction ratings.

The percentage of employees at surveyed U.S. retail organizations who do not use mobile devices varies by business function:

• Store operations 42%.
• Merchandising 37%.
• Store floor 34%.
• Field mobility and operations 34%.
• Warehouse operations 31%.
• Inventory management 30%.
• Ominchannel and fulfillment operations 29%.
• Checkout experience 29%.

U.S. retailers not equipping their employees with mobile devices provided the following reasons (more than one reason accepted):

• Skills and talent shortage 35%.
• Data and security concerns 31%.
• Vendor lock-in and standards 29%.
• Management approval and support 28%.
• Technical issues and maintenance 28%.
• Cost of implementation 27%.
• ROI uncertainty 26%.
• Insufficient IT infrastructure 25%.
• Complexity of integration 25%.
• Resistance from employees 23%.

When asked what benefits they would expect to receive from equipping employees with mobile devices, respondents ranked improved employee satisfaction, improved operational efficiency, and better customer satisfaction as the top three. 

Respondents also rated increased efficiency of daily operational tasks, enhanced communication between staff members, and integration of various payment methods as the top three workflows that would benefit from mobile enablement.

“Most people are accustomed to always having mobile devices in their hands,” said Deborah Weinswig, CEO, Coresight Research. "When they don’t have one, workers feel disconnected from the people, tools, and information they rely on to do their jobs well."

Coresight Research conducted three online surveys of decision-makers at US-based retailers on behalf of Zebra Technologies between November 2022 and July 2024. Image courtesy of Ground Picture.

The Container Store has made two additions to its executive leadership team.

The specialty retailer of organizing solutions, custom spaces, and in-home services, has promoted , Lindy Rawlinson, executive VP of e-commerce and digital marketing, to chief digital officer. 

Rawlinson joined The Container Store in 2021 with more than 20 years of experience in digital retail. In her new role, she will oversee both e-commerce and marketing, including creative, traditional and digital media, loyalty, social media and public relations functions. 

In addition, Jennifer Pape, VP of stores, has been promoted to senior VP of stores.  She joined the company in 2015 and has held several leadership positions managing store operations and customer experience.

As senior VP of stores, Pape will continue to oversee the Container Store’s expanding store fleet and have an increased focus on Custom Spaces business areas. Her responsibilities will include managing and developing the Custom Spaces customer experience as well as the company’s  in-home design service, which drove more than 85% of premium Custom Spaces sales in the second quarter.

In December, Container Store opened its 100th location, in Princeton, N.J. The opening is in line with the retailer’s strategy to expand its reach as part of its $2 billion revenue goal. 

“By bringing eCommerce and marketing together under Lindy, we will be able to tell a more cohesive brand story, specifically our differentiated offering of Custom Spaces and general merchandise,” said CEO and president Satish Malhotra. “Jen has done a fantastic job leading our store fleet and I am proud of the work she has already done to improve our Custom Spaces conversion rates. I’m confident in the executive leadership team we have in place as we continue to make progress on our path to $2 billion in revenue.”

The world’s biggest golf green is coming to Greensboro.

Topgolf has announced it will build a new venue in the North Carolina town, one exit from the I-40 and I-73 Interchange. It will be part of a large shopping center development currently under construction there.

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan is teed up for its arrival.

"It’s a hole-in-one decision,” Vaughan gushed. “This is another example of how we are able to diversify the types of companies investing in our community, while supporting the Council's priority of being a hub of recreation and entertainment."

Topgolf Greensboro will have 72 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays spanning two levels. Private event rooms will be available for outings and other gatherings.

"It's exciting to officially announce that construction efforts are underway on our Greensboro venue since there's been buzz about it for more than a year,” said Topgolf’s chief development officer Chris Callaway. “We can't wait to welcome residents and visitors of Greensboro and the surrounding communities and introduce them to what our unique style of play is all about."

The Greensboro venue puts the Callaway Brands company close to 100 locations worldwide. It is scheduled to open in late 2024.

Topgolf to open in Greensboro in 2024

The Container Store sees plenty of whitespace for continued store expansion. 

The specialty retailer of organizing solutions, custom spaces and in-home services, has opened its 100th location, in Princeton, N.J. The opening is in line with Container Store’s strategy to expand its reach as part of its $2 billion revenue goal. 

The Princeton location is the sixth small-format store the company has opened since it debuted the concept in September 2022, at The Promenade Shops at Briargate, Colorado Springs, Col.  It is one of five anticipated to open in Container Store’s current fiscal year, which ends March 30, 2024. 

The stores, which average 12,500 sq. ft., feature  a full “Custom Spaces Studio” featuring the Preston, Avera and Elfa lines and a curated assortment of complementary general merchandise. They also offer in-home services. Many of the locations are also built-to-suit, making them an appealing financial proposition, according to the Container store.

“Opening our 100th store is a significant milestone as we execute our strategic priority of Expanding Our Reach and continue to unlock our long-term growth potential,” said CEO and president Satish Malhotra. “We continue to be pleased with the productivity of our small-format stores, specifically with the faster adoption of Custom Spaces, which is a key component of future sales growth for The Container Store. At the end of  second quarter, this adoption was averaging 39% of sales per store.”

 In addition, the company saw an average of over 60% new customers shopping in the smaller-store locations, added Malhotra.

The Company’s next store opening is slated for Gaithersburg, Md.

Caribou Coffee has opened its first location in Florida — with more to come.

The coffee chain, part of Panera Brands, has opened a store in St. Petersburg,  the first of many locations that Caribou Coffee said it intends to open in the state. Featuring indoor and outdoor seating and costal-inspired designs, the shop is owned and operated by Wake Up 727,  which has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Caribou. 

 In addition, the company signed development agreements with Kevin Ricci, owner of Covelli Family Partnership, and Sam Covelli, CEO of Covelli Enterprises, to deepen the brand’s roots throughout Florida.

Earlier this year, Caribou announced the signing of several multi-unit development agreements to franchise more than 300 new locations across the U.S. (The company aunched its first-ever domestic franchise program in October 2021.)

As of Sept. 26, 2023, Caribou Coffee has 329 company-owned, 139-non-traditional and 310 franchise locations iin 11 countries.