News

Chico’s names retail veteran as new corporate counsel
Chico's FAS Inc. has appointed Susan Lanigan as executive VP and general counsel.

Lanigan has 25 years of professional experience and more than 15 years of business experience in the retail industry, including serving as executive VP, general counsel of Dollar General Corp.
Disciplined and strategic: CSA’s fastest-growing acquirers
The 27th annual Chain Store Age survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers features some familiar names, but a diversity of philosophies and experiences when it comes to driving long-term growth.

Uniqlo focuses on U.S. store performance

Japanese specialty retailer Uniqlo has been losing money with its U.S. stores for the past five years, but is not ready to throw in the towel.

According to Reuters, Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. is making a U.S. turnaround a top priority.

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NRF recognizes top small retail exec

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has named Gary Cammack, owner of Cammack Ranch Supply in Union Center, South Dakota, as the 2016 America’s Retail Champion of the Year.

The award was presented Tuesday, May 24, at NRF’s annual Retail Advocates Summit as small retailers from across the country were honored for their advocacy on behalf of the industry while in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress on a variety of public policy issues.
Tiffany doesn’t sparkle with Q1 misses; will open 11 stores

Tiffany & Co. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a lackluster start to fiscal 2016, but still plans to open 11 new stores worldwide.

The retailer reported net earnings of $87 million during the first quarter, down 17% from $105 million the same period a year earlier. Lower gross profit and higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses drove the reduction in profit.
Walmart exec joins board of standards body

Cameron Geiger, senior VP, Walmart technology, has been appointed to the GS1 U.S. board of governors.

He will help guide the GS1 U.S. strategy for driving adoption and usage of GS1 standards within the retail industry. GS1 standards are used to uniquely identify products, services and locations globally.
Amazon plans three new fulfillment centers

Amazon.com Inc. is supporting continued growth in California with fulfillment centers launching in the cities of Tracy and Eastvale.
CBRE research chief talks trends at RECon

There are so many cross-currents affecting the retail real estate industry right now that making sense off it all is a daunting challenge. Thankfully, Melina Cordero, head of retail research for the Americas at CBRE, was on hand at RECon to touch some of the mega-trends in this video.
Cabela’s aims for secure checkout

Specialty outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. is deploying POS hardware and software from Ingenico Group to make the final step of the in-store shopping process as safe and seamless as possible.

Sidney, Nebraska-based Cabela’s is using Ingenico ISC Touch 250 smart terminals at its 80-plus U.S. and Canadian stores. The POS stations offer a full range of upselling/cross-selling capabilities, such as the ability to display digital advertisements, videos and gift card promotions.
Meet the next generation of store associate

Retailers will be excited by the prospect of employees that are never late and don’t need to take breaks or even be paid, but will customers accept them?
Report: Amazon eyes new AmazonFresh markets

After an 18-month hiatus on expansion, Amazon.com is reportedly preparing to roll out its AmazonFresh grocery delivery service to new markets including Boston and the U.K.

According to Re/Code, Amazon had initially planned to introduce the service to U.K. customers in 2015.

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Zimmer wants another shot at Men’s Wearhouse

Men’s Wearhouse may not have seen the last of original co-founder George Zimmer.

In an interview with Inc., Zimmer discusses conversations he has had about a possible acquisition attempt with private equity firms.

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