News

First Look: Lou & Grey, New York
The more casual sister of Loft and Ann Taylor has opened its first location in New York City.

The store, in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, reflects the easy-going, laid-back approach of the merchandise on display, with a design that evokes a soft, clean feeling. It features marble tables and fitting rooms that evoke a lounge space – floating curtains in linen with pink velvet stools.
Nest one of fastest-growing private companies
For the sixth time, Nest has appeared on Inc. magazine’s ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.

Nest — ranked no. 4783 on the 35th annual Inc. 5000, with three-year sales growth of 48%. The listing features successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment — independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000.

You’ve Been Hacked — Now What?

Retailers have learned a lot of hard lessons from cyberattacks. Many cyberattacks successfully targeted the giants of the industry. Wanting to avoid the same fate, organizations are making significant investments in security technologies and educating their employees on best practices.

But what happens when these investments aren’t enough? While companies are becoming smarter in their security approach, hackers are also growing more sophisticated in their attacks.
Carolina Panthers kick-off improved fan experience

Just in time to kick-off the 2016 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers are giving fans another reason to cheer. The defending NFC champions upgraded the Carolina Panthers Official Shop, the team’s official online store — a move that promises “to pro-vide Panthers fans worldwide with an exceptional online shopping expe-rience,” according to a company statement.
Barnes & Noble cuts guidance; chairman cites presidential campaign

The nation’s largest book-seller Thursday lowered its full-year same-store sales forecast amid declining sales caused by the upcoming election. At least that’s how Barnes & Noble founder and executive chairman Leonard Riggio partially explained the chain’s disappointing first quarter results. Riggio, 75 and the company’s largest shareholder, has been leading Barnes & Noble since August, when it fired CEO, Ronald Boire, who had been in the position for just under a year.
Sportswear brand launches PLM

Collaboration is key when it comes to seamlessly creating private-label apparel to sell across branded stores and department store partners. In effort to streamline information sharing across product development processes, GANT is deploying a product lifecycle management (PLM) solution that promises to improve its product-hit rate, shorten lead times, and enhance margins.
iPhone 7 launches Apple Pay in Japan

Apple Pay is extending its reach. There is plenty of buzz around this week’s introduction of iPhone 7, from a redesigned high-definition display and cameras to non-existent home buttons and headphone jacks. Where the rubber meets the road however, is that the new phone will give shoppers in Japan the opportunity to use Apple Pay.
United Supermarkets makes sure ‘cash is king’ with new solution

Digital payment volume may be growing industry-wide, but there is still plenty of currency filtering through retail stores.
Kimco announces $265 million in deals

Kimco Realty Corp. has purchased the remaining 85% interest in a four-property joint venture portfolio, a deal that includes the assumption of $103 million in mortgage debt. The company also announced it had acquired a Whole Foods-anchored center in the D.C. area for $95 million.
Ground breaks on Staten Island Mall expansion

Construction has begun on a 240,000-sq.-ft expansion of the Staten Island Mall, the largest shopping center in the New York City borough. The multi-phase project will take two years to complete, and will add some 75,000 sq. ft. of space to Macy’s plus 40,000 sq. ft. for a new Dave & Busters and a 12-option food court. A new wing with a three-level parking deck is destined for one side of the General Growth Properties mall.
Home goods retailer offers private label, co-branded credit cards

As retailers industry-wide search for the ideal customer engagement program, Williams-Sonoma is getting back to basics.
Office Depot rewards ‘mobile abstinence’ among college students

Taking a lesson from B.F. Skinner, Office Depot is taking steps to reward college students for refraining from using their phones at the most critical time of the day — during class. College students are so obsessed, and thus distracted, by their phones that 33% said they checked their device a minimum of 10 times a day, according to a study conducted by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln