News

The five most loved brands are....
A social media giant and an online retail giant are the most loved brands in the world. Facebook took the top spot, followed by Amazon, in NetBase's third annual "Top 100 Global Brand Love List." Rounding out the top five were eBay, Apple, and Snap.
Study: Millennials don't act — or shop — alike
Retailers need to update their approach to targeting millennials. That's according to a new report by management consulting firm L.E.K., which provides insight into Millennials and their predecessors Gen X and the Baby-Boom generation.

Saks Fifth Avenue to roll out new salon concept — with augmented reality

Saks Fifth Avenue is debuting a new salon concept with a futuristic edge.
Analyst: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie off pitch when it comes to apparel

While Wall Street cheers Urban Outfitters for not doing quite so badly as forecast, the reality is that this is a lousy set of results. Not only are the numbers sequentially worse than a pretty dire first quarter, but they also show that many of the initiatives put into play remain a long way from delivering.
eTail East: Warehouse club operator debuts new desktop site

BJ’s Wholesale Club introduced the newest service within its digital transformation. The warehouse club operator launched a new desktop website on Monday. Besides featuring a modern look and feel, the site also supports easier navigation, browsing and shopping.
Target's Q2 Earnings Call: Six Interesting Facts

Target's remodeling efforts, new smaller store format, same-day delivery pilot and private-label brands were among the topics discussed by company executives during the chain's quarterly earnings call on Wednesday with investors and analysts. Here are six interesting points from the call worth noting:
BJ's seeks greater consumer insight with predictive analytics

BJ's Wholesale Club will leverage predictive analytics and machine learning to assist with buying decisions. The warehouse club operator will begin using First Insight’s consumer-driven predictive analytics. The tools are designed to help BJ’s make design and buying decisions on the broad spectrum of products offered in its warehouse clubs.
Analyst: Home Depot's Q2 performance ‘very impressive’

After a solid first quarter, Home Depot has posted an even stronger set of second quarter figures. Total sales rose by 6.2% with underlying comparables up by 6.3% overall and by 6.6% in North America. Given the long run of big uplifts in same-store numbers, this is a very impressive performance.
Analyst: Coach turnaround in full swing

Coach ends its fiscal with a set of strong results that signify the turnaround program is making excellent progress. Although sales shrunk in both North America and Europe, this is because this quarter was a week shorter than the same period last year. When this is stripped out, total Coach brand sales rose by 5%, or by 7% on a constant currency basis.
First Look: Sarah Jessica Parker's new store in Las Vegas

Actress and fashion entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker is betting on Las Vegas. Parker, who gained global fame as the star of "Sex and the City," has opened her fledgling retail brand's second freestanding location, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The store, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, offers the label's full collection of shoes, handbags and accessories in a stylish, upscale environment. It is located in Bellagio's Promenade retail corridor.