News

Pet specialty retailer empowers associates with mobile-delivered data
PetSmart has a new strategy to keep its 55,000 employees informed and abreast of key insights. When the 1,500-store retailer wanted to improving data accessibility across its enterprise, it turned to mobility. The chain began its mobility effort by developing one mobile app in 2010. By leveraging the MicroStrategy 10 mobility platform from long-time partner MicroStrategy, the company now has nearly 20 internal apps that deliver key insights to senior leaders and associates across the enterprise, the company said.
DHL: Cross-border e-commerce could be huge growth opportunity
Cross-border online retail is on an upward trajectory, and a catalyst for domestic retailers to grow their businesses. That’s according to “The 21st Century Spice Trade: A Guide to the Cross-Border E-Commerce Opportunity,” a report form DHL Express. Based on responses from more than 1,800 retailers and manufacturers in six countries, the study details the markets and products that offer the highest growth potential, and motivate customers to buy internationally.

CBL acquires five Sears stores in sale-leaseback deal

CBL has worked out sales-leaseback deals with Sears Holdings to take ownership of five Sears department stores and two Auto Centers located at company malls in the Southeast. The deal was consummated for $72.5 million.
Nordstrom Rack headed to downtown LA

Nordstrom Rack is going to set up shop in a rapidly expanding area of Los Angles. The retailer will open an approximately 27,000-sq.-st. store in fall 2017 at FIGat7th, an open-air center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) owned and operated by Brookfield Property Partners L.P. The new Nordstrom Rack will join Target, H&M, Victoria's Secret, MAC and other retailers and restaurants at the center, which located at 7th & Figueroa Street.
Teen retailer names CEO — finally

For the first time since 2014, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has a chief executive. The struggling retailer said it has promoted Fran Horowitz to the role of CEO. She will also join the company’s board of directors. A veteran fashion retailer, Horowitz joined Abercrombie in fall 2014 as brand president of Hollister Co. In 2015, she was tapped for the new position of president and chief merchandising officer of the entire company.
Report: Amazon continues to influence shoppers’ online expectations

Amazon continues to dictate the pace of online retailing, making it the “go-to” retailer for a majority of shoppers. This is according to a report from PowerReviews, which surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and over, about the features that make Amazon a leader, and the steps that brands and retailers can take to compete. Seventy-one percent of the shoppers said they make at least one Amazon purchase a month.
Report: Shoppers increase online grocery orders, but want more value

More shoppers are buying groceries online, but a majority are ready to switch grocers in favor of a better online experience. This is according to the “2017 Grocery eCommerce Forecast,” a report from Unata, which surveyed over 500 U.S. shoppers about online grocery shopping habits, intent and barriers. Details revealed that 31% of U.S. shoppers are likely to order groceries online in 2017, up from 19% of shoppers that bought groceries online in 2016.
Clash at Ralph Lauren: CEO to leave

It doesn’t pay to clash with Ralph Lauren, one of the most iconic names in fashion retailing. Ralph Lauren Corp. and president and CEO Stefan Larsson have “mutually agreed to part ways,” with Larsson staying on until May 1, 2017, the company said in a statement. Larsson’s departure follows disagreements with Lauren, 77, the company’s founder, executive chairman and chief creative officer. Jane Nielsen, CFO, will head up the business while it hunts for a new CEO.
Commentary: Ralph Lauren brand is ‘lost’

Neil Saunders, managing director of retail research and consulting firm GlobalData Retail (formerly known as Conlumino) analyzes Ralph Lauren Corp.’s third quarter results and the news that CEO Stefan Larsson is leaving the company after a little over a year on the job. His comments are as follows:
Commentary: Employers Have Opportunity with Big Labor
NRF: Shoppers pulling back on Valentine’s Day spending

After a decade-long increase, Valentine’s Day sales may be less rosy this year. U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average $136.57, down from last year’s record-high $146.84. Total spending is expected to reach $18.2 billion, down from $19.7 billion last year, which was also a record, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, which surveyed 7,591 consumers about their Valentine’s Day plans.
Retailers unite to stop border adjustable tax

Retailers, trade organizations and business leaders are teaming up and taking steps to stop the border adjustable tax proposal. The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) joined more than 120 other trade associations and businesses to launch “Americans for Affordable Products,” a national campaign aimed at ending the border adjustable tax. The tariff, which is a component of the tax reform proposal under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, would impose a 20% tax on all imported goods.