News

Lane Bryant introduces in-store ‘stylists’
A specialty apparel retailer is making it even easier for its customers to shop the latest looks. Lane Bryant, a division of apparel giant Ascena Retail Group, is launching an in-store personal styling service. Called LaneStyle Studio, the program features a team of personal shoppers that will assist customers throughout their store visits.
Athletic specialty retailer preps for disappointing Q2
Despite what is shaping up to be a rough second quarter, Hibbett Sports is making a move to streamline its operations. Days before its second quarter ends on July 29, Hibbett Sports is blaming very challenging sales trends for an approximate 10% decrease in comparable store sales. The decline in sales, along with significant pressure on gross margin is expected to result in a loss of $0.19 to $0.22 per diluted share for the second quarter. The company will release its earnings on Aug. 18.

Regulatory Wrap-Up: Where state and national policy impact retail

Wages
USDOL Tip Pooling Rule: The Labor Department will propose rescinding its regulations for tip pooling. The Obama administration issued rules that prohibited employers from redistributing tips to non-tipped employees, such as "back of the house" workers. Business groups oppose the rule and an association-backed lawsuit is still pending in the courts.
Amazon resubmits paperwork on Whole Foods Market deal

Amazon is working with government officials to head off a lengthy deal investigation. Amazon will re-file documents this week seeking government approval of its planned purchase of Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion. The move will restart the process, giving U.S. antitrust enforcers more time to complete an early review of the retailers’ planned tie-up, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Sears Canada leases spark interest among REITs

Two heavy hitters in the Canadian real estate market are eyeing Sears Canada properties — but not its Home Stores. RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, and a unit of H&R Real Estate Investment Trust are among potential bidders interested in Sears Canada assets. They are two of the biggest players in the Canadian real estate marketplace, according to Bloomberg.
Luxury retailer launches online in China

Louis Vuitton is making a move to grab its share of the booming online shopping market in China. The French fashion brand quietly debuted an e-commerce website that sells leather goods, small leather goods, shoes, accessories, watch and jewelry, luggage, and perfume. The site marks Louis Vuitton’s 11th e-commerce market since it launched its first site in France in 2005, according to CNBC.
Furniture retailer snubs interest from potential buyers

Rent-A-Center is being selective about potential business opportunities. According to sources, the nation’s largest rent-to-own company brushed off takeover interest from private equity firms HIG Capital and Lone Star Funds. The snub took place prior to turning down an offer of $800 million from buyout firm Vintage Capital earlier this month, according to Reuters.
Study: Optimistic buzz connected to Amazon, Whole Foods Market deal

Customers that shop at both Amazon and Whole Foods Market are the most upbeat about the online giant’s purchase of the natural foods grocer. This was according to a new GfK report that was conducted among 1,000 US adults (ages 18 and above) using KnowledgePanel, the company’s probability-based online panel that represents the adult U.S. population. Responses were collected from June 23-26.
Teen apparel retailer names new finance chief

The search is over. The Buckle named Thomas B. Heacock as VP of finance, treasurer and CFO, effective July 20. As CFO, he replaces Karen B. Rhoads, who in May announced her intention to retire. Rhoads will assist in the transfer of her duties and responsibilities to Heacock, and will continue to serve as a member of the company’s board.
Fast-food giant automates development strategy

Subway is more accurately planning new locations. The fast-causal restaurant chain is partnering with location intelligence provider SiteZues, to augment its development strategy. The company’s data-driven solution will combine advanced geospatial technology and visualization with Subway’s market data. The result will be more thorough and accurate insights — the foundation Subway needs to plan and expand its market growth.
Subway, multiple locations

The largest restaurant chain in the world has unveiled a tech-savvy, makeover that seeks to reinvent its customer experience for a digital age.
Study: Online glitches jeopardize customer trust

Websites with technical difficulties do more than frustrate shoppers — they damage a brand’s reputation. This was according to a new survey from QualiTest Group. The report, which was conducted with Google Consumer Surveys in June 2017, was based on a sample of more than 1,000 respondents from the United States between the ages of 18 and 54.