News

Direct-to-consumer in focus at Catalyst

Concerns about channel conflict once kept brands from selling to direct to consumers, but not anymore. Branded suppliers selling direct is one of the biggest trends in retail and the shift is creating new growth opportunities for consumer goods companies.
Retail CFOs: The Chief Executive’s New Consigliore
With the retail environment changing so rapidly today, and technology impacting everything a store does, the role of the chief financial officer has become more important than ever. When I started recruiting in 1990, the business was much simpler — we hired retail executives based on a linear skillset and departments operated in individual silos. Today, it is much more complex, as the C-suite works in collaboration to keep up with an increasingly savvy consumer.

So, what then do you look for in a CFO today?

Report: Hy-Vee invests $3.6 million in new training center

Hy-Vee invested $3.6 million in a new training center for employees and to serve as a headquarters for the Hy-Vee Aisles Online, the company's online grocery division, KCCI Des Moines reported earlier this week. "We are excited to have a creative environment and innovative tools to help grow our future store leaders," stated Denise Broderick, VP education/training for Hy-Vee. "We understand that growing and improving our workforce is crucial to our company’s continued success.
Amazon makes it easier for customers to get their 100-inch TVs

Amazon.com is opening a state-of-the-art distribution center in Edgerton, Kansas, to fulfill orders for large items such as refrigerators or kayaks.

The company says the facility will create approximately 1,000 full-time hourly positions, plus many managerial and support roles to support customer fulfillment. In Kansas, Amazon currently operates facilities in Lenexa.
Korean beauty retailer sets up shop in the United States with more stores to come

Photo: Aritaum, H-Mart, Ridgefield, New Jersey
Victoria’s Secret launches new line with social support

Leveraging its status as a leading lingerie retailer, Victoria’s Secret has released the 2016 edition of its “What is Sexy?” list compiled with social media input to support the launch of several new product lines.
GameStop emerges victorious from transitional 2015

GameStop's efforts to generate growth by diversifying its business model worked well in 2015, as the video game retailer posted its third straight year of positive comps.
Hip new retail hub to open in unusual — and busy — NYC location

An underground shopping arcade with cool stores and hip eateries is coming to one of the busiest subway stations in New York City.

TurnStyle is set to open in mid-April, on the subway concourse at the 59th Street Columbus Circle subway station in Manhattan. The 30,000-sq.-ft. center, the first major privatization of a New York subway station, is located along both sides of the 325-ft. long passageway from Eighth Avenue and 57th Street to the subway platforms at 59th Street-Columbus Circle. (The passageway is free to pedestrians since it is not in the fare zone.)
Signet shines in Q4, ramps up expansion

Signet Jewelers is already the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry and it plans to get even bigger in 2016 by accelerating new store and omnichannel growth.

Operating stores under banners such as Kay, Jared and Zale, Signet reported a 4.9% fourth quarter same-store sales increase, better than expected profits and said it would open more new stores in 2016 than it previously indicated.
Thor Equities Developing two projects in Houston Texas

Houston -- Thor Equities announced Lowe’s Companies will build a 100,000-sq.-ft. home improvement store at The Shoppes at Cinco Ranch located in Katy, Texas. The company is in the process of developing the 35-acre property, which will include retail stores and restaurant spaces. The property is anchored by Walgreens, with Kroger and Academy Sports + Outdoors located across the street.
Under Armour a big winner in A.R.E. Design Awards

Under Armour’s two-story flagship in Chicago took home top honors in the A.R.E.’s annual Design Awards, which were presented Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Designed by Big Red Rooster, a JLL company, Under Armour won the Store of the Year award and also took top honors in the specialty store category (over 25,000 sq. ft.). The 30,000-sq.-ft. store features the sporting goods giant’s “Brand House” format, and blends merchandise and technology with accents of localization.
Startup Spotlight: Technologies on the Rise

Personalization continues to be the trend that just won’t go away, probably because it’s the new normal in how consumers want to interact with brands and retailers. Personalized videos hold the promise to surprise and delight (and covert), especially as we collectively spend more and more of our time viewing videos online. And personalized promotions help retailers maximize scarce marketing dollars, ensuring the right customer gets the right call to action at the right time.