News

Footwear retailer supersizes it with new format
Skechers has debuted a new store format in its largest mall location to date. The company has opened a 24,000-sq.-ft. outlet store at Ontario Mills, Ontario, California, that houses one of the widest assortments of Skechers products under one roof, with dedicated departments for the brand's various lifestyle and performance collections for men and women. The new Skechers Superstore also features a fun kids’ area, complete with a candy shop and a theater space screening Skechers cartoons.
U.K.-based grocery giant jumps into the one-hour delivery game
Tesco is launching a one-hour delivery service — a move that will enable the chain to go head-to-head with Amazon. The U.K.-based supermarket giant introduced its new Tesco Now app, which enables shoppers in central London to choose from a range of 1,000 products, and have them delivered within an hour. Merchandise crosses categories such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, bakery goods and dairy, as well as pet, baby, health and beauty products.

Consumers rank ‘cool’ vs. ‘creepy’ technologies

Consumers may want a more personalized shopping experience, but some efforts in this regard creep them out.
Study: Amazon is getting a ‘whole’ lot more from its latest acquisition

While Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods Market signifies a staggering boost in its physical store breadth, the deal is much more valuable than that. This is according to “LandMark Insights,” a report from PlaceIQ. The study analyzed more than 165 million anonymous and opted-in mobile device signals nationwide to determine visitation patterns and audience affinities, among other metrics. These transactions were compiled over a 90-day period.
Study: Consumers' shipping expectations higher than ever

There is a major disconnect between retailers and consumers when it comes to shipping expectations. Retailers understand that consumers want free shipping. But they are challenged by and grappling with the rising costs of shipping online orders, according to “The State of Shipping in Commerce,” a report from Temando, a shipping and fulfillment software platform provider.
Walgreens’ mobile app popular with this age group

Walgreens’ mobile apps biggest fans aren’t exactly the demographic people typically associate with technology adoption.
Another online retailer tries on brick-and-mortar

An online thrift store that counts some 20 million users has opened its first-ever physical storefront. ThredUp has opened an outpost at Tanger Outlets, in San Marcos, Texas. The company plans to add four additional locations by year end. It is targeting traditional malls, outlet centers, and main street shopping districts nationwide.
Supermarket giant on hunt for CFO

Supervalu Inc. is losing its chief finance officer. The company announced that Bruce Besanko plans to resign as executive VP, COO and CFO effective July 5, 2017 to pursue an outside opportunity.
Retail vet joins WD Partners

WD Partners has tapped a 30-years plus retail consulting and design veteran as executive VP. Dan Stanek will serve as the business vertical leader of health & wellness for WD and work to further expand the sector. Stanek most recently worked as chief strategy office for Ologie, and as president of FootClick, an indoor location software platform. His previous positions include executive VP of Big Red Rooster, executive VP of Kantar Retail, and executive VP of Retail Forward.
Online giant isn't just disrupting retailing

Amazon is impacting its hometown of Seattle in ways large and small.
Study: Prime Day 2017 on pace to be biggest yet

Amazon is giving new meaning to the phrase "Christmas in July."
Drug chain expands commitment to analytics

With plans to expand its commitment to the health, beauty and personal care categories, Fred’s Pharmacy is stepping up its analytics strategy. By leveraging its 15-year partnership with Nielsen, Fred’s will extend the company’s data insights and analytics services across its 601 stores in 15 states across the southeastern U.S., as well as in future stores. Specifically, the chain will be poised to step up market measurements and consumer targeting services.