News

Store design plays a crucial role in attracting customers and driving foodservice sales in convenience stores.    That’s according to the new study, Food-Forward C-store Design, which comes as more convenience retailers are pursuing foodservice as a growth opportunity.     

The combination of a cool spring and the continued pullback in luxury apparel spending took a toll on Neiman Marcus Group in the company’s third quarter.    The department store retailer’s profit plunged 80% in the period ended April 30, down to $3.8 million from $19.8 million in the year-ago period.    Total revenue for the quarter fell 4.2% to $1.17 billion, down from $1.22 billion a year ago.   Same-stores sales fell 5%.   

Staples is hopping on board the same-day delivery train.    The chain is testing “Staples Rush,” a same-day delivery service to its online customers in major metropolitan areas across the United States. It’s offering the service initially for a fee of $14.99 per delivery, which may change while the project is in beta.  

Using walkie-talkies for in-store communication is old school at The Container Store.   The retailer is rolling out voice-controlled wearable devices that enable hands-free communication over Wi-Fi networks to its store employees chainwide following a successful pilot.   

Consumers will have a new, convenient way of making online purchases this fall.   In conjunction with the release of the new iOS10 operating system, Apple late on Monday announced that an online version of its Apple Pay digital payment service will be available to Mac device users in fall 2016. Up until this point, consumers could only complete Internet transactions using Apple Pay through a mobile app.  

Macy’s is set to debut a store design at its remodeled location in Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio, that will be “100% brand new.” 

Specialty ink and toner retailer Cartridge World has a limited product offering, but that isn’t stopping it from thinking big or getting creative.   The McHenry, Illinois-based chain currently has more than 400 North American and 1,000 international stores, and intends to have more than 3,000 total stores by 2019. To help boost sales beyond its existing assortment and store base, Cartridge World is launching a mobile application called PrintWorld.  

The blockbuster $26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn by Microsoft may benefit retailers trying to effectively recruit and manage employees who typically do not stick around for long.   The acquisition is being touted as Microsoft’s entry into social networking, an area where the tech titan has not been that active besides holding a stake in Facebook. However, LinkedIn is primarily a professional services platform and will probably not become a major consumer touchpoint anytime soon.  

PGA Tour Superstore opened its 26th store to date — and first store in Minnesota — on June 11.   Located in Minnetonka, in a previous Sports Authority location, the 41,000-sq.-ft. store has 12 interactive simulators, practice hitting bays, a large putting green measuring more than 1,500 sq. ft. and an in-house club-making and repair facility to provide an interactive experience to golf enthusiasts of all levels.  

Design is at the heart of Ethan Allen’s new “Design Center” retail format, which opened in Rockville, Maryland.   The store showcases the company’s new interactive design service and brings its robust website to life. The open floor plan has design stations and large touchscreens that invite customers to work directly on projects with the company’s design professionals in a space outfitted with the latest technology.