News

Is the athleisure market overcrowded?
The hottest trend in the apparel market may be at risk of over-supply. While athleisure remains popular with consumers, too many retailers have entered the category, reported CNBC.
Study: Online glitches jeopardize customer trust
Websites with technical difficulties do more than frustrate shoppers — they damage a brand’s reputation. This was according to a new survey from QualiTest Group. The report, which was conducted with Google Consumer Surveys in June 2017, was based on a sample of more than 1,000 respondents from the United States between the ages of 18 and 54.

Teen apparel retailer names new finance chief

The search is over. The Buckle named Thomas B. Heacock as VP of finance, treasurer and CFO, effective July 20. As CFO, he replaces Karen B. Rhoads, who in May announced her intention to retire. Rhoads will assist in the transfer of her duties and responsibilities to Heacock, and will continue to serve as a member of the company’s board.
Report: Embattled bankrupt electronics retailer gets a lifeline

Against all odds, bankrupt RadioShack is still ticking. An affiliate of Kensington Capital Holdings will acquire RadioShack’s intellectual property after it submitted a $15 million bid, Reuters reported. Kensington is already owned $23 million by the retailer, dating back to a loan it gave the company some two years ago.
MarineMax revenue, comp sales sink in Q3

Softness in larger product categories and unseasonal weather in the Northeast dampened MarineMax’s third quarter earnings. For the third quarter ended June 30, MarineMax’s revenues declined to $329.8 million from $345.6 million for the same period last year. This missed Wall Street’s expectations of $383.01 million.
Menswear retailer launches its first mobile app

Destination XL Group has a new way to connect with its loyal shoppers. The menswear retailer launched its first mobile app — a move that will help it engage shoppers whether they are on-the-go or in-store. Designed with mobile commerce provider PredictSpring, the app will help Destination XL create a more modern shopping experience.
Walmart developing facial recognition technology

The nation's largest retailer is working on technology to enable store associates to respond more quickly to potential customer service issues. The chain is developing facial recognition technology to detect frustrated or unhappy shoppers, according to a report by Business Insider. The technology uses video cameras at checkout lines that monitor customers' facial expressions and movements to identify varying levels of dissatisfaction, according to a patent filing, the report said.
Amazon’s Treasure Truck gears up for a national expansion
Online giant in deal with unlikely retail partner

Amazon is staking a claim in the appliance market in a big way in a partnership with Sears Holdings. The embattled retailer announced it will sell its prized Kenmore-branded appliances on Amazon. The deal opens the way for the broadest distribution to date of Kenmore products outside of Sears stores and its websites. Distribution will be nationwide, and Sears Home Services and Innovel Solutions units will provide delivery, installation, and other services.
Study: Majority of back-to-school shopping will happen in-store

Consumers are in search of the latest back-to-school deals and experiences — and hitting their local shopping centers to find them. This was according to the annual “ICSC Back-to-School Spending” survey. The report from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), which was conducted between July 6-July 9, is based on a sample of 1,010 U.S. adults, 18 years of age and older.