News

Apple Pay use lags awareness
Consumers know about Apple Pay, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are conducting mobile payments with it.

According to a December 2015 survey of 1,300 U.S. household financial decision-makers, including 580 iPhone 6 users, conducted by First Annapolis Consulting Inc. awareness of Apple Pay is quite high. Among all survey respondents, 73% have heard of Apple Pay, while awareness jumps up to 84% for the sub-group of iPhone 6 owners.
Online jewelry retailer continues leap into brick-and-mortar
Blue Nile made its brick-and-mortar debut last June, and the company is so pleased with the results that it plans to add more stores.

The online jeweler announced it will open its second physical outpost, at the Westchester Mall in White Plains, New York, by early summer. It is the first of up to four locations the company plans to open this year.

Sun Capital sees significant expansion ahead for latest acquisition

Private equity firm Sun Capital Partners plans to accelerate growth of Furniture Factory Outlet following its acquisition of the 36 store chain.

Based in Fort Smith, Ark., Furniture Factory Outlet (FFO Home) operates 36 stores in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Sun Capital said it acquired the company, billed as a value-oriented home furnishings retailer, from Alpine Investors and believes significant expansion opportunities exist. The company also manufactures bedding under the Comfort Coil and Natural Elements brands.
Shoppers see beam of hope for mobile loyalty

A number of major retail chains are leveraging a mobile app that allows scanners to read barcodes on smartphones.

Shoppers at retailers including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Nectar, Rite Aid, Toys “R” Us, Best Buy, PetSmart, Staples, Safeway, and Giant Eagle are using the Mobeam 4.0 Beep’nGo app for Samsung Android mobile devices. The app, which can integrate with existing payment apps, allows customers to use barcode-based loyalty cards, gift cards and coupons on their smartphone at checkout scanners.
World to get glimpse of Canadian cool at summer Olympics

The contingent of athletes representing Canada at this summer’s Olympic games in Brazil will be feeling strong and confident during the opening ceremonies thanks to a new design deal announced by Hudson’s Bay Company.

Hudson's Bay, Canada's iconic retailer, announced that Dean and Dan Caten, Dsquared2 will design the outfit for Team Canada for the Opening Ceremonies at the upcoming 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.
O’Reilly eyes more stores following record year

More than 200 O’Reilly Automotive stores are expected to open in 2016 after the nation’s third largest auto parts retailer logged strong fourth quarter results and its 23rd consecutive year of same-store sales growth.
Amazon.com reassures investors with big buyback

With its share price in free fall after badly missing analysts’ fourth quarter profit estimate, Amazon.com has decided to spend billions buying back its own shares.

Amazon.com disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it named a new board member and its board authorized the company to repurchase up to $5 billion worth of the company’s common stock. The new authorization replaces an existing $2 billion authorization that was approved in 2010, of which only $1.237 had been expended.
What went wrong at Advance Auto parts

Warm weather hurt sales at Advance Auto Parts in the fourth quarter, but other factors were in play too as the company’s performance lagged competitors.

The retailer said same store sales were negatively impacted by the timing of the New Year's day holiday, which fell in the 53rd week last year, by the foreign exchange currency fluctuations from its Canadian business, and by warmer winter weather.
What went wrong at Advance Auto parts

Warm weather hurt sales at Advance Auto Parts in the fourth quarter, but other factors were in play too as the company’s performance lagged competitors.

The retailer said same store sales were negatively impacted by the timing of the New Year's day holiday, which fell in the 53rd week last year, by the foreign exchange currency fluctuations from its Canadian business, and by warmer winter weather.
Jet puts customer engagement into high gear

Online retail platform Jet is getting a better idea of how well its customer service efforts are working with a new tool from service measurement/optimization company StellaService.
Cabela’s elevates exec to new role of president

Cabela’s EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Scott Williams has been elevated to the role of president and given additional responsibilities in a move that positions him to succeed longtime CEO Tommy Millner.

Williams will continue to report to Millner. Williams will take on additional responsibility for U.S. retail operations and all operations in Canada.
Tax refunds arrive later and that's a problem for Citi Trends

Same store sales literally fell off a cliff at Citi Trends in the waning days of the fourth quarter and the operator of 522 urban fashion stores is attributing the weakness to the federal government.