News

Celebrate best in class design — and the Store of the Year
The Retail Design Institute’s most prestigious event is returning to New York. The Institute will hold its 46th Annual Design Awards Gala & Fundraiser at Current at Chelsea Piers, overlooking the Hudson River and Chelsea Piers marina, on May 24, 2017, from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate Best in Class Design projects from around the world, and also the winner of the coveted Store of the Year award. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Institute's 2017 Student Design Competition Prize Fund.
Survey: Don’t ignore online customers post-purchase
What happens after an order is placed is crucial in driving website traffic and revenue.

Party City tops estimates; to launch new marketplace

Party City on Tuesday announced earnings and revenue that topped expectations, and said it would launch an online marketplace for party services.
Retailers in big push to uphold debit swipe fee reform
Department store retailer hires debt advisor

Hudson’s Bay Co. has brought in professional advice regarding its potential merger with Neiman Marcus. The Canadian department store company has hired a debt restructuring adviser, investment bank Evercore Partners Inc., to review the potential acquisition and provide Hudson’s Bay Executives with ways on how it could proceed without Hudson’s Bay assuming Neiman Marcus’ full debt, according to a Reuters report on CNBC.com.
Office Depot Q1 profit surges

Office Depot’s profit in the first quarter more than doubled as its reduced store count led to lower operational costs. The company's net income increased to $116 million, or 22 cents per share, in the quarter ended April 1, from $46 million, or 8 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Its results beat analysts’ expectations.
Actress opening second store

Sarah Jessica Parker is expanding her brick-and-mortar retail business. The actress, producer, and designer will open her second freestanding store, in Las Vegas. The SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker store will be located at the Bellagio Resort & Casino and open this summer.
Walgreens, Rite Aid deal inches closer to resolution — one way or the other

Walgreens Boots Alliance has set in motion a mechanism that will result in the Federal Trade Commission having 60 days to either clear its $9.7 billion acquisition of Rite Aid or sue to block it, Walgreens and Rite Aid Corp. announced late Monday afternoon that they have “certified substantial compliance” with the second request from the FTC regarding their proposed merger.
Staples names former HP security exec to lead cyber-security

An office supplies giant is taking steps to tighten up its data security strategies. Staples named Brett Wahlin as its chief information security officer (CISO), responsible for global enterprise-wide information, product and data security. He will report to chief technology officer Faisal Masud, who leads Staples Digital Solutions, a new organization within the company that combines its traditional IT and digital organizations.
Specialty retailer exploring long-term capital restructuring

Nine West Holdings is taking action to deal with its debt.