News

More retailers are eager to ward off far-reaching cyber-attacks, yet too many companies are ill-equipped to quickly detect a breach.   This sobering detail was revealed in a new study from Tripwire. The study tapped 763 IT professionals from various industries, including 100 participants from the retail sector. The report measures the confidence and efficacy among the professionals in regard to seven key security controls that must be in place to quickly detect a cyber-attack in progress.  

Walmart is setting some lofty goals for itself on such critical issues as sustainability and job creation.    In remarks Friday at the Net Impact Conference, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon outlined a "new roadmap" that will guide the company’s role in society on critical issues during the next several years, and pointed to a “new era of trust and transparency.”  

Saks Fifth Avenue has opened its third location in Miami, and seventh location year to date, at the just opened Brickell City Centre in the city’s financial district.   

Uber wants to put championship gear commemorating the Cubs’ World Series victory into fans’ hands as quickly as possible.   Through a partnership with licensed sports merchandise e-retailer Fanatics, Uber launched a program that enables Cubbies fans to purchase championship hats and t-shirts directly through the ride-hailing app, according to Recode.  

China’s sluggish economy didn’t stop Alibaba from increasing revenue by 55% for the September quarter.  

There’s going to be change in the leadership structure at Whole Foods Market that will leave founder John Mackey as the sole CEO of the company.   Walter Robb, a 25-year Whole Foods veteran, is stepping down as co-CEO of the chain, effective Dec. 31. Robb, who has shared the CEO title with Mackey for six years, will remain on the board of directors and continue to serve as a senior advisor to the company and as chairman of the Whole Kids Foundation and Whole Cities Foundation.     

Amazon is synonymous for stealing marketshare from established retail brands. Now it upping the ante with private-label merchandise.    By leveraging its online shelf space to introduce its own line of new private-label products, Amazon is changing the dynamic in the marketplace once again, according to a report by 1010data Market Insights. This time among category leaders, as Amazon’s private label line directly competes with national suppliers.  

Target, HomeGoods, and Petco will be opening this month at Closter Plaza, a Whole Foods-anchored center in Closter, New Jersey, undergoing a complete redevelopment.   Owner Edens has stated it is “re-energizing” the 208,337-sq.-ft. center with tenants possessing greater appeal to affluent local residents. The developer reports that the average household income within a five-mile radius of the center is $134,000.  

It may only be the first week of November, but American shoppers are steadily crossing items off of their holiday shopping lists.   As of the end of September, one-third (33%) of consumers had already started their holiday shopping, up significantly from 25% in 2015. Further, they expect to spend an average of $908, an 8% increase from last year ($839 in 2015). Among affluent consumers, this threshold increases to an average of $1,513.  

Walmart is expanding its mobile payment options.   Walmart will accept Chase Pay on Walmart.com, through the Walmart mobile app, and in its stores through the app’s Walmart Pay feature. The digital payment solution allows shoppers to make secure digital payments in-store and online while earning rewards and receiving offers. Chase Pay also protects the customer through token technology, which utilizes one-time complex codes to process transactions and keep credit and debit card information secure.