News

Study: Fraud losses, management eat up more than one-fifth of retailer revenue
Merchants’ fraud costs are a growing expense — and the pace shows no sign of slowing. Fraud losses and management eat 8% of the average e-commerce retailer’s revenue, up from 7.6% in 2016, according to “2017 Financial Impact of Fraud Study: Exploring the Financial Impact of Fraud in a Digital World.” The report is from Vesta Corp. and Javelin Strategy & Research.
The impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma on retail sales
Hurricanes Harvey and Harvey had a similar impact on retail sales and the toll was significant on online spending as well as spending in physical stores.

Report: Aerosoles exec to lead Walmart's online fashion team

Walmart has tapped a retail veteran to bolster its foothold in its growing online fashion category. Denise Incandela was named Walmart’s senior VP, fashion, effective October 2, 2017. She will lead the fashion businesses for Walmart.com, Jet.com, and Shoes.com, according to Fashion Network. In her new role, she will report to Walmart’s chief revenue officer Scott Hilton, the report said.
Microsoft to plant retail flag in London

Microsoft will open its third flagship location, which will also be the company's first retail store in London. The company announced plans to open a flagship on Regent Street at Oxford Circus. The location, which in the heart of the city's retail district, is just down the road from an Apple flagship.
Fast-casual giant to open its largest location ever — in New York City

Chick-fil-A is going big in the Big Apple with a location that will also include some atypical features for the chain. The company will open its third restaurant in Manhattan, on Fulton Street in the Financial District, in 2018. At more than 12,000 sq. ft., it will be the chain's largest location to date, with five levels, complete with a rooftop terrace for dining. It will feature design elements that have never been featured at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before.
Finish Line profit, sales down in Q2

Finish Line missed analysts expectations for its second quarter amid continued heavy promotion in the athletic footwear market. The retailer reported net income of $2.8 million, or 7 cents per share, for the quarter ended Aug. 26, down from $22.1 million, or 53 cents a share, a year ago.
The top fast-fashion brands that are killing it on social media are…

Visual content has made H&M, Topshop/Topman Forever21 the most successful social media brands in the competitive fast-fashion industry. This was according to data from visual content performance platform ShareIQ. The analysis digs into the data for the first three quarters of 2017 among the top brands in the fast-fashion category in the United States: H&M, Forever21, Uniqlo, Gap, Old Navy, Topshop/Topman, Zara, Mango and American Apparel.
Discounter ups mobile game with in-store location technology

Target Corp. is making it easier for customers to find their way around its stores — and to quickly find what they are looking for. The chain is integrating beacon and Bluetooth technology into its mobile app. It will show the shopper’s location in real-time on the app's map as they move about the store, and display nearby Cartwheel deals. Shoppers will also be able to find an item on the map through their digital shopping list.
Food and bed highlight OKC center’s expansion

Three restaurants and a hotel claimed four of the seven new out-parcels The Market at Czech Hall in Oklahoma City. Developer GBT Realty announced that Hooters, Arby’s, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, and Sleep Inn have signed leases at the 160,000-sq.-ft. “regional neighborhood center” on Interstate 40.
How retailers can recoup funds with CAM Audits

The continued popularity and development of town centers and lifestyle centers have made it clear that retailers can no longer go it alone. They must co-exist in a symbiotic live-work-play environment, and that means they must also co-exist with the different demands and cost structures of residential and office spaces.