News

Jet.com shuts down 'cash-back' rewards program
The Jet Anywhere rewards program is preparing for its final descent. As of May 1, Jet.com is pulling the plug on a program that rewards consumers for shopping on its retail portal. As shoppers enter the Jet Anywhere e-commerce portal, they can click through and shop at more than 600 retail partners, including Foot Locker, Land’s End, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdales, among others.
Outdoor retailer files ‘stalking horse’ bid
Gander Mountain has taken a step toward keeping the brand in business. The outdoor retailer, which filed for bankruptcy protection on March 13, has filed a stalking horse bid. A joint venture comprised of Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources has proposed to purchase substantially all of the retailer’s assets. This stalking horse bid will act as a baseline, in effort to ward off low offers on the chain’s assets.

Report: Walgreens sets deadline for approval of Rite Aid deal

The latest move by Walgreens Boots Alliance in its pursuit of the Rite Aid may be a bet that a Trump-appointed FTC chief will finally push the deal through.
Fashion retailer expanding into new markets

South Moon Under is on the move. The on-trend fashion retailer, which carries a variety of contemporary brands, will open its first stores in the South in April, with locations at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, and Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia. In the fall, the company will open a store at Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta.
Plus-size women’s fashion retailer goes social in new store concept

Ashley Stewart has opened its first-ever “concept store,” in Newark, New Jersey.

The 4,500 sq.-ft. location marks a significant milestone for the company as it is the first brick-and-mortar opening since the reinvention of the brand, which has gone through a turnaround under the leadership of CEO James Rhee, http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/unlikely-champion-ashley-stewart.
Frye, Cherry Creek North, Denver

The Frye Company’s first location in Colorado took top honors as Store of the Year in the 2017 Shop! store design competition.
Beauty powerhouse goes high-tech, high-service in Manhattan

Sephora is taking experiential retail to a new level in New York City. The beauty retailer has remodeled two of its high-profile Manhattan locations to its new “Beauty Tip” (Teach, Inspire, Play) store format. The locations include Sephora’s 11,300-sq.-ft. store on 34th Street, its largest store in North American, as well as a Fifth Avenue location.
Fashion retailer expanding into new markets

South Moon Under is on the move. The on-trend fashion retailer, which carries a variety of contemporary brands, will open its first stores in the South in April, with locations at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, and Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia. In the fall, the company will open a store at Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta.
How Retailers Can Get Up to Speed in the New Age of Instant Gratification

Consumer expectations in retail are changing more rapidly than ever. As e-commerce takes ever-larger shares of retail and redefines customer expectations, retailers are hard at work developing stronger online presences, seamless links between their online and brick-and-mortar offerings, and faster and cheaper delivery to meet rising customer demands.
Wegmans names new CEO

Wegmans Food Markets has appointed a familiar name as its new chief executive. Danny Wegman announced that he is stepping down as chief executive of the family-owned supermarket company and will be succeeded by his daughter, Colleen Wegman, who will serve as president and CEO. Danny Wegman will assume the title of chairman.