News

Etsy comes to sellers’ promotional rescue
Online marketplace Etsy is announcing two new ways for sellers to promote their brands, both on and off Etsy.

Pattern by Etsy is a new service that lets sellers create their own custom websites on their own domains, powered by their Etsy shops and integrated with the platform’s tools. Research from the company shows that more than a third of its sellers are interested in opening a commerce site of their own, but many have found the process to set up and maintain a custom site too difficult.
Staples and FTC battle grows more contentious
The federal judge presiding over the Federal Trade Commission’s effort to block a merger between Staples and Office depot urged the parties to resolve their difference, but that seems unlikely given both sides are firmly entrenched in their positions.

Walmart Foundation and Aspen Institute aim to enhance economic mobility for retail workers

A new $5.5 million research grant from the Walmart Foundation and the Aspen Institute will look at the evolving nature what the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as the most common job in America: “retail salesperson.”

The largest portion of the grant is dedicated to exploring alternative models to provide career pathways for frontline retail workers, according to a statement from the Walmart Foundation and the Aspen Institute, an organization known for pioneering new approaches to complex problems.
Organic online grocery start-up has Costco-like business model

Thrive Market, a fast-growing fee-based online retailer that sells organic groceries, is expanding. According to TechCrunch, the company offers members wholesale prices and two-day shipping for $1.95 per order, or free for orders of more than $49. To read more, click here.
Aaron’s hopes to amaze customers with new campaign

After posting record results in 2015, leading rent-to-own retailer Aaron’s is looking to keep the momentum going with a new ad campaign that highlights the company’s
High-tech caregivers benefits solutions for retailers

Do well by doing good. U.S. businesses are taking this adage attributed to Benjamin Franklin to heart.

It's good business. Happy employees are engaged employees, and that translates into productivity gains and ultimately to happy customers and a better bottom line.
Amazon adds Prime same-day delivery to 11 more markets

Amazon continues to elevate customer expectations throughout the retail industry with its latest move involving the availability of free same-day delivery service in 11 new markets.
HBC details omnichannel growth agenda

The number of Saks Off 5th stores will surge dramatically as will investments in technology as Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiative this year.
H&M promotes fashion sustainability in April

Two major sustainability initiatives from H&M begin this month as the fast fashion retailer debuts a new line from Conscious Commerce co-founders Olivia Wilde and Barbara Burchfield and kicks off an apparel recycling effort.

The H&M Conscious Exclusive collection from Wilde and Burchfield will be available online at hm.com and in 165 stores beginning April 7. Meanwhile, H&M is set to begin is World Recycle Week initiative on April 18 which allows customers who drop off clothes at in-store collections bins to receive a 30% discount coupon.
Survey: Mobile food coupon users show spirit of adventure

Consumers who rely on mobile coupons when food shopping are much more likely to experiment with new brands.

According to the latest edition of GfK MRI’s “The Survey of the American Consumer,” one in three (33%) U.S. adults agrees completely or somewhat with the statement, “I rely on mobile coupons while food shopping.” And almost half (44%) of these mobile coupon users say they like to “change brands often for the sake of variety and novelty,” compared to just 30% of the general population.
Demandware stays current with omnichannel trends

Retailers looking to keep up with consumer demand for an individualized and seamless customer experience have a new supporting technology option to consider.
Climate Change Demands Retailers Rethink Cold Weather Apparel Strategies

Apparently shifts in weather patterns have thrown yet another curve ball to the traditional retail industry.