News

Retail CEOs meet with Trump
The CEOs of Gap, Best Buy, Target Corp., J.C. Penney and several other national retailers met with President Trump on Wednesday to discuss tax reform and to make their case against the so-called border tax adjustment.
C-store chain improves workforce management operations
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is getting its stores on the same page. The convenience and fuel chain, which operates more than 400 locations in 40 states, employs more than 17,000 people. By adding Reflexis Workforce Manager, it will have a consistent way to manage its budgeting, forecasting, and labor scheduling across the enterprise.

Walmart acquires specialty outdoor retailer

Walmart has added another online asset to its battle against Amazon. The chain announced it has acquired Moosejaw, an outdoor retailer know for its social media marketing expertise and strong online following among younger consumers, for approximately $51 million. The acquisition, which closed on Feb. 13, is Walmart’s second acquisition in less than two months. In late December, the chain’s Jet.com unit acquired online footwear retailer ShoeBuy.
Commentary: Some red flags in January sales results

The year kicks off with a respectable set of retail sales numbers that show continued momentum in the consumer economy. The overall growth rate of 4.9% is a little way above the average monthly growth rate of 3.3% recorded in 2016, something that will give retailers some cheer as they head into 2017.
Amazon steps up logistics footprint

The online retailer is expanding its presence in California. Amazon has pre-leased an additional one million sq. ft. of logistics space from Goodman Commerce Center Eastvale, California, according to a statement by Goodman. Goodman will construct the logistics center for Amazon.
Walmart not combining stores and online buying teams

Despite an earlier report to the contrary, Walmart is not combining its online and store buying functions. Reuters had reported that the discounter was combining its online and store buying operations as it moves to make itself more competitive with Amazon. The report was picked up by numerous media outlets. Based on information from Walmart, however, the chain is not merging the stores and walmart.com buying teams. The two will continue to operate as two separate teams.
Accessories retailer aims to give stores a local feel

Sunglass Hut is making a strategic move to evolve its brick-and-mortar experience. The sunglass retailer has added a a cloud-based merchandising system across its stores in Australia and New Zealand that helps each store localize and personalize its product mixes to create a shopping experience that feels custom-tailored.
Dick’s Sporting Goods does combo store

Dick’s Sporting Goods is putting two of its formats under one roof in the Austin, Texas, market. The retailer will open a Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream store on Friday, March 3 at The Parke in Cedar Park, Texas. It will be Dick’s 677th store and 29th Field & Stream store nationwide. There are currently three other Dick’s Sporting Goods stores in Austin.
Amazon taps Bezos advisor for important new role

A key advisor to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has been appointed to a new position in the company — one that reflects its continued focus on delivery infrastructure. Maria Renz, who served as technical advisor to Bezos for the past two years, has been named to the new role of VP of delivery experience, reported Recode.
Target veteran joins Famous Footwear

Caleres has made two executive appointment in its Famous Footwear division. The company named Karlyn Mattson as chief merchandising officer, leading Famous Footwear’s buying, merchandising, planning, allocation and analytic functions. Mattson joins Caleres from a 25-year career at Target Corp., where she was most recently VP merchandise manager of shoes, accessories and intimate Apparel for retail and online. She held leadership positions at May Company and Macy’s.