News

Survey: What’s driving wearable growth?
Consumer interest in wearables is booming for reasons that retailers should find encouraging.

New research from Mintel reveals that the U.S. wearable technology market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with estimated sales increasing 186% from 2014-2015, reaching $7 billion in 2015.

And despite just one in 10 consumers owning a fitness tracker (12%) or smartwatch (7%), 16% of consumers said they planned to purchase a fitness tracker or smartwatch in the final three months of 2015.
Survey: Omnichannel drives retailer tech priorities
The need to provide a seamless customer experience is having a big impact on the types of solutions retailers are trying to implement.

According the new Retail Industry Insight benchmark report conducted by Retail Systems Research for SPS Commerce Inc., e-commerce and stores have switched places as the top growth driver for retail IT purchases. Retailers rank growing e-commerce sales as their top priority (75%) followed by improving the in-store experience (53%).

AutoZone revs up network

AutoZone knows that driving experience and customer experience both depend on a well-built frame.

Thus AutoZone is turning to AT&T to provide the chassis for a seamless front- and back-end retail experience. AT&T will provide a suite of mobile and broadband solutions for its U.S. stores, call centers, and back-end offices that deliver voice, Internet and mobility solutions.
How brick-and-mortar retailers can build shopper loyalty

Retailers understand that loyal customers are the most profitable shoppers. While these consumers make buying decisions that are increasingly influenced by online channels, the vast majority of retail business in the United States is conducted in the physical store, and this isn’t changing with the Millennial generation.
Retail marketers find less is more with coupons

Some major retailers sharply reduced their use of printed free standing inserts (FSIs) last year but the total dollar value of FSIs still grew to a record $515 billion.

The value of free standing insert (FSI) coupons increased 3.7% in 2015 to $515 billion, according to Kantar Media. However, the number of FSI pages distributed fell 8.1% as marketers cut back on pages that didn’t include a coupon. The number of coupons circulated increased nominally versus the prior year, and combined with higher face value led to growth in dollars circulated.
RILA’s open call for asset protection innovation

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is now accepting applications for its Retail Asset Protection Innovation awards ahead of its annual conference this spring.
RadioShack hopes to spark growth with new CEO

RadioShack has lost its CEO after he served only nine months on the job.

Ron Garriques has stepped down as chief executive of the consumer electronics chain in order “to pursue other interest in a role that will put him back closer to his family,” the retailer said in a statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The company's CFO, Gordon Briscoe, will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is found.
RadioShack looking for a new CEO—again

RadioShack has lost its CEO after he served only nine months on the job.
Home furnishings giant to build its most sustainable store to date

Ikea Canada is building a 328,000-sq. ft. store Halifax, Nova Scotia, that will feature a special focus on energy efficiency and waste management.

The store will take roughly 14-16 months to build once ground has been broken in summer 2016. It will be built to operate as the retailer’s most sustainable store in Canada, and include a rooftop solar photovoltaic installation that provides electricity to the store and a geothermal energy generation system to support heating and cooling needs.
Holiday e-commerce customers offer mixed returns

E-commerce retailers might think new customers acquired during the holiday season are a gift, but they many not keep on giving.
Study: Retailers seek seamless store capabilities

Retailers’ top priorities for POS and customer engagement reinforce the concept of the store as the foundation of an omnichannel enterprise.

According to the Boston Retail Partners (BRP) 2016 POS/Customer Engagement Survey, a leading 85% of respondents said having a unified commerce platform that seamlessly operates across all commerce channels is a top priority. Another 68% cited customer experience and engagement as a top priority.
Fresh approach driving growth at Food Lion

Delhaize Group’s Food Lion division is enjoying success with an extensive transformation initiative called “easy, fresh and affordable,” as it works to complete