News

Tech Bytes: Three Reasons to Buy a Pure Play Retailer
I previously wrote a column about the benefits opening physical stores can offer pure play online retailers. Inspired by the recent completion of the Hudson’s Bay-Gilt acquisition, this week I’d like to examine three instant advantages purchasing a pure play retailer can provide to brick-and-mortar chains.

Instant Expertise
Report: The Fresh Market is on the auction block

The Fresh Market is being viewed as a takeover target with recent media reports indicating that some of the biggest names in the grocery game are interested in the company.

Reuters reports thatKroger is in the second round of an auction process for Fresh Market that has also attracted other companies and private equity firms. Apollo Global Management, KKR & Co and TPG Capital are among the buyout firms participating in the auction.

Nation’s favorite fashion retailer is…

For the fourth consecutive year, a department store has nabbed the top spot in a survey of the nation’s favorite fashion retailers.

Nordstrom took the top spot in the study, by Market Force Information. Interestingly, several discount retailers moved up the list this year, with Marshalls landing in the No. 2 spot. H&M and Ross Dress for Less tied for third, Kohl’s was fourth and Macy’s was fifth.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Driving Impulse Buy with Technology

The term “impulse buy” has a negative connotation to many. Picking up that guilty pleasure snack in the checkout line at the supermarket, that gadget you don’t really need, or those shoes that are on sale all qualify.
IHL: Do retailers have their heads in the clouds?

When it comes to systems infrastructure, retailers are moving in a particular direction.

According to a new study from IHL Group, “Total Retail SaaS Market,” 26% of all retail spending on software in 2016 in North America will be cloud-based. This includes 60% of retailers’ e-commerce spend and 53% of their BI/analytics and sales/marketing software spend will be on cloud-based systems.
Divaris’ Washington, D.C. team completes five leases

Washington, D.C. -- Gerald S. Divaris, chairman and CEO of Divaris Real Estate, announced the company negotiated five leases totaling 17,469 sq. ft. of commercial space in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., market.

Wash ‘N Dry - leased 5,792 sq. ft. of retail space at Ashdale Plaza located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Retailers at the center include: Family Dollar, Popeye’s, Wells Fargo, Goodwill and Davita. The landlord, A.R. Kronstadt Realty Investors, was represented by DRE’s Susan McGee.
Toys"R"Us names new global leader

Toys“R”Us has promoted its senior vice president of store operations to a global leadership role.
Whole Foods reveals more 365 locations

While Whole Foods continues to work on the performance of its flagship stores, the company disclosed new locations and expressed confidence in its 365 format even though the first unit is scheduled to open until May.
RT offices closed Monday for Presidents Day

The offices of Retailing Today will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, for President's Day, and the RT Daily Edition will not publish. RT will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
CSA offices closed Monday for Presidents Day

The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, for President's Day. and the DayBreaker will not publish. CSA will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Nordstrom teases New Yorkers with a glimpse of the future

Nordstrom revealed dramatic plans for a massive and elaborate flagship in Manhattan designed to wow residents of a city accustomed to the best retailers have to offer.

The approximately 363,000-sq.-ft. store will encompass four individual properties in the Columbus Circle neighborhood of Manhattan, along Broadway between West 57th and West 58th Streets. Slated to open in 2019, it will be the retailer’s second largest store to date (the largest, at 383,000 sq. ft., is in its Seattle hometown).
eBay thinks retail

Following a disappointing 2015 holiday season, eBay is changing its mindset to become more competitive with e-commerce peers such as Amazon. According to Fortune, eBay CEO Devin Wenig recently outlined plans for eBay to approach the marketplace more like a retailer and less like a technology platform. [Fortune]