News

Cabela’s improves front-line customer strategy
Cabela’s is known for transforming mere customers into raving fans. To elevate these efforts, a new optimization solution will help associates further improve in-store customer engagement efforts, from both tactical and strategic levels.
Report: Fire at Gap DC was set
The fire that damaged a Gap Inc.’s primary distribution center in the Northeast was no accident. The massive fire at Gap’s DC in Fishkill, New York, was intentionally set, according to Reuters, which cited a report by the New York State Police. "The ATF National Response Team has concluded that the fire was incendiary in nature. This means that the fire was intentionally set," the State Police said.

Francesca’s raises outlook after strong Q2

Francesca’s Holdings Corp. posted better-than-expected sales and earnings for its second quarter, helped in part by higher online sales. The retailer reported a profit of $10.6 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with a profit of $9.3 million, or 22 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Sales increased 9% to $115.3 million, helped by a net gain of 44 stores over the year-ago period. Online sales rose 37%.
Kohl’s growing its fulfillment network

Kohl’s comprehensive omnichannel distribution network is about to get even bigger. The department store chain is preparing to open a new distribution center in Plainfield, Ind., just in time to manage the 2017 holiday season.
OMG! Nordstrom, Topshop launch fashion emojis :)

U.K. retailer Topshop will debut more than a new fashion line at London’s Fashion Week. The British fashion brand and Nordstrom teamed up to launch a co-branded emoji keyboard app that features fashion and lifestyle emojis, stickers and GIFs resembling actual Topshop product sold at Nordstrom.
Crate and Barrel drives mobile engagement

With its mobile traffic growing on a seemingly daily basis, Crate and Barrel is future-proofing its mobile experience.
Mixed-use project slated for up-and-coming Austin ‘hood

A newly formed developer called the Maker Bros. has announced plans to build a $150 million mixed-use project in South Austin, Texas, christened the Saint Elmo Market District. A 40,000-sq.-ft. former school bus factory on the site will be converted into and indoor-outdoor marketplace that will serve as the new home of the Saxon Pub, a celebrated live music hall in Austin. Maker Bros. has apportioned 100,000 sq. ft. of the site for office space, a boutique hotel, and condos.
C-store chain bullish on store expansion; to enter Ohio

Casey’s General’s Stores on Tuesday detailed an aggressive store expansion and renovation schedule along with record earnings for its first quarter. The Iowa-based chain expects to build or acquire 77 to 116 stores, replace 35 existing locations, and complete 100 major remodels in its current fiscal year. Currently, it has 39 new stores under construction, including its first store in the state of Ohio.
Coalition calls for reliable retail and restaurant work schedules

A coalition of New York-based advocates have launched a national campaign to press large retailers, restaurant chains and other companies to end on-call and last-minute scheduling. The effort comes in the wake of recent agreements by several retailers with New York's attorney general to end the practice in that state, the Associated Press reported.
PayPal in deal with MasterCard for store payments

PayPal Holdings has expanded its growing foothold in physical retail. The payments services company has entered into a partnership with MasterCard that will allow shoppers to use PayPal’s services in stores. In July, PayPal signed a similar agreement with Visa.
State of the Industry Report 2016

This special report by WD Partners focuses on the new wave of shoppers that is poised to deliver more disruption to the retail industry—and how retailers can embrace that disruption to innovate and thrive in the evolving marketplace.

To download the report, click here.
Former Amazon and J Crew execs join fast-growing plus-size brand

Eloquii, a fast-growing, plus-size women’s fashion apparel manufacturer and online-only player, has expanded its executive team with two experienced retailers. The retailer named Michael Concannon as chief technology officer. He most recently served as CTO of Quidsi, an Amazon-owned e-commerce company where he oversaw long-term technical strategy and maintained technical leadership for the entire platform of six sites including diapers.com.