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News Briefs

  • 1/17/2025

    The Buckle ties mobile POS to omnichannel operations

    buckle

    A specialty apparel, accessories and footwear retailer is enabling store associates with access to enterprise information for enhanced customer service.

    The Buckle Inc. is deploying Aptos One as its new mobile-first POS platform. Buckle has been leveraging Aptos unified commerce software since 2018, and by implementing Aptos One the retailer intends to provide store associates with the ability to conduct more personalized and efficient customer interactions.

    "Aptos One is an extremely cohesive system, offering advanced store operations and guest engagement capabilities within a flexible platform," said Brandon Hauff, VP of IT at Buckle. "With the Aptos One app, Buckle assoociates have everything they need to add value to the customer experience."

    Leveraging the Aptos One app, Buckle associates will have access to data including customer insights, product details, inventory information and loyalty status.

    [READ MORE: Foot Locker brand expands mobile POS installation]

    "Buckle has consistently demonstrated excellence in retail operations, fostering a culture of learning, growth and evolution," said Aptos GM Jeremy Grunzweig. "With advanced omnichannel and customer engagement capabilities, Aptos ONE is uniquely equipped to support Buckle’s dedication to unified commerce and creating enjoyable shopping experiences."

    Headquartered in Kearney, Neb., Buckle operates more than 440 retail stores in 42 states and carries a wide selection of denim brands, including its exclusive brand, BKE.

  • 1/17/2025

    Done Deal: WHP completes acquisition of Vera Wang

    Vera Wang

    WHP Global has officially added another brand to its growing portfolio. 

    The New York-based brand management firm has completed its acquisition of the intellectual property of fashion brand Vera Wang. As part of the deal, Vera Wang will continue in her role as founder and chief creative officer, continuing to shape the brand's creative direction and future growth. She is also a shareholder in WHP Global.

    Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

    “Vera Wang is a legend,” said Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and CEO of WHP Global in December when the acquisition was announced. “Her name is synonymous with modernity, artistry and impeccable style. We are honored to partner with Vera Wang and look forward to building on the brand's remarkable legacy with new business opportunities around the world."

    The Vera Wang brand generates over $700 million in annual retail sales across categories including women's apparel, bridal, men's tuxedos and suiting, fine jewelry, fragrance, and home, among others.

    Wang will become part of WHP’s  new premium fashion vertical which includes Rag & Bone, Joe’s Jeans and G-Star. The WHP portfolio, whose brands that collectively generate over $7 billion in global retail sales, also includes Toys”R”Us, Express, Anne Klein, Lotto and others.

  • 1/16/2025

    Financial analyst/journalist Ron Insana to put spotlight on economy at SPECS 2025

    Ron Insana

    Trail-blazing financial news journalist Ron Insana will be one of the keynote speakers at Chain Store Age’s annual  SPECS Show. The event will be held March 9–11, 2025, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. 

    Known for his high-profile interviews, which have included presidents, billionaire investors and captains of industry, Insana is currently senior analyst and commentator at CNBC and also hosts the daily nationally syndicated radio program, The Market Score Board Report.

    In addition to being an award-winning author, Insana is the CEO of iFi AI, an AI-powered stock research platform created in partnership with IBM watsonx, as well as the founder and CEO of film and TV production company, The Insana Entertainment Group.

    Insana will discuss the forces impacting the economy and business during his keynote at SPECS, on Tuesday, March 11. He also will share actionable information that will enable attendees to spot fresh opportunities and make smarter business decisions. 

    Troy Aikman

    Also speaking at SPECS is legendary football icon, Monday Night Football analyst and successful business entrepreneur Troy Aikman, who will deliver the opening keynote on Monday, March 10. Aikman will share his journey from football hero to business leader, including his brewing company’s upcoming growth plans, 

    [READ MORE: Troy Aikman to keynote SPECS 2025]

  • 1/17/2025

    PLMA: Private label sales hit new record in 2024, rise nearly 4%

    grocery shopping

    As inflation continued to impact consumers in 2024, shoppers kept opting for private label products, helping the category hit a new record.

    New figures from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) using Circana Unify+ data revealed that sales of store branded products increased $9 billion to a record $271 billion last year compared to 2023. This represents a 3.9% rise in dollar sales in all outlets from Jan. 8 to Dec. 29, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Private label growth outpaced national brands, which grew 1% in dollar sales.

    “Sales of store brands hit a record high last year,” said PLMA president Peggy Davies. “The quality, value and innovation that store brands provide can’t be beat.”

    [READ MORE: Survey: With recession fears, consumers focused on price in 2025]

    PLMA noted that over the past four years, annual store brand dollar sales have increased by over $51 billion, a 23.6% gain. In addition, since 2021, store brand unit sales rose 2.3%, while national brands fell 6.8%.

    All 10 food and nonedible departments that Circana tracked for PLMA showed store brand dollar growth over the year before. Refrigerated (+7.5%), general food (+4.3%) and beverages (+4%) had some of the highest dollar sales growth, while the top departments for unit sales growth were beverages (+3.5%), pet care (+3.5%) and home care (+3.3%).

    Founded in 1979 to promote the private label industry, PLMA represents more than 4,900 companies worldwide.

  • 1/16/2025

    Chain Store Age to close for MLK Day

    USA flag on light background. Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Shutterstock ID 2400228109

    The offices of Chain Store Age are officially closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday is also designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities.

    CSA’s DayBreaker will resume publishing on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

  • 1/16/2025

    Sephora to redesign entire store fleet across North America

    ISTANBUL - AUGUST 12, 2017: Signage of famous French chain of cosmetics store in Nisantasi / Istanbul that is a popular shopping and residential district.; Shutterstock ID 1008402520

    Sephora has embarked on one of the largest capital projects in its history.

    The beauty giant is redesigning all of its stores across the U.S. and Canada, Artemis Patrick, president and CEO of Sephora North America, said during a presentation at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show in New York City. The company operates more than 700 stores across North America.

    “We are touching every single store,” Patrick said. 

    Some of the locations will receive a major redesign, Patrick explained, while others will receive more of a minor one or a refresh. The majority of the work will be done within the next five years.

    “It’s not a capital issue,” she added. “it’s a resource issue.”

    The revamp comes after Sephora has been testing a format that makes it “a lot easier to update our stores,” Patrick said. The format is focused on the company’s four main categories: skin care, fragrance, make-up and hair-care.

    Some of the changes include putting a beauty studio off to the side of the space, mobile checkout and more modular fixtures.

    “We’re creating a much more agile footprint,” Patrick said. 

    One of the goals of the fleet revamp is to ensure that Sephora stores offer customers the same experience across its store network. To date, the retailer has rolled out the changes to 111 doors. Sales and transactions are up in the revamped stores.

    In other remarks during her presentation, Patrick emphasized the importance of Sephora’s “highly educated,” non-commissioned in-store beauty advisors.

    “Our secret source 100% is our beauty advisors,” she said.

    The Sephora executive also noted the important role physical stores play in beauty, a category where customers value the ability to try and touch product.

    "I'm not sure I'll see a world in my lifetime where people don't want to touch and play with beauty," she said.

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