News

Study: Hispanic customers going online for holiday shopping
With access to more disposable income, Hispanic consumers will up their holiday spending this year — especially through e-commerce.
Supermarket giant to open its first restaurant
The Kroger Co. is looking to extend its share of consumers' food dollars — this time, however, it’s aiming for the dollars spent on meals outside the home. The supermarket retailer is opening its first-ever full-service restaurant, which will be located next to Kroger's new Marketplace store in Union, Kentucky. In a nod to the year Kroger was founded, the restaurant will be called Kitchen 1883. It will open in late October.

Online giant expands its fulfillment network in Michigan

Amazon is further bolstering its presence in The Wolverine State. The online giant will open a new, 1 million sq. ft. fulfillment center in Shelby, Michigan. The building is set to open in 2018. The warehouse will focus on picking, packing and shipping large items, like household decor, sporting equipment and gardening tools. These operations will be managed by approximately 1,000 associates, according to Amazon.
Online merchant bolsters luxury fashion offering

eBay has made a play to make a name for itself as a luxury shopping destination. The online merchant is partnering with Spring, a shopping app and website that features 1,500 luxury brands, from Prada, Gucci, and Saint Laurent to David Yurman, Rag & Bone, Mango and Chloe. By featuring the company as a marquee seller, eBay will feature a dedicated Spring storefront where shoppers can find, browse and purchase luxury items curated in one location.
Holiday hiring outlook for retail looks positive

Early signs from retailers indicate a hot job market for workers this holiday season. Despite store closures and consolidation within the industry, retailers are signaling that there might be high demand for seasonal jobs, according to a forecast from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Study: Mobile drove back-to-school e-commerce sales

Mobile commerce made the grade this back-to-school season, contributing to a 3% increase in overall e-commerce sales. This was according to research from retail search marketing company NetElixir. The firm said mobile orders were up by 44%, and revenue was up by 64%. Mobile average order value (AOV) increased by 13%, indicating that consumers are now more comfortable using mobile devices for more expensive purchases.
Target expands health clinic initiative

Target Corp. is adding more health clinics to its stores. Target is opening clinics staffed and operated by Kaiser Permanente in 31 of the chain's stores In Southern California. The expansion builds on an existing collaboration the two companies launched in 2014.
Discounter swaps out Apple devices for Android on its sales floor

Target associates are using new devices to complete their daily tasks. After using iPod Touches for the last three years to manage stock, pull items, and handle other essential sales floor duties, Target is now putting Android devices into its associates’ hands, according to Gizmodo.
Done deal: Staples goes private

Staples is done trading on Nasdaq. Sycamore Partners announced that it has completed its acquisition of the office supply giant. Under the terms of the deal, which was announced in June, Staples was acquired by the private equity firm in a transaction valued at approximately $6.9 billion.
Experiential retailer in store closings

High-end bath, kitchen and appliance retailer PIrch is relying on its California roots for future growth.