News

Pet lovers can now feed their own pets a wholesome meal and serve one up to a pet in need at PetSmart.

The retailer has launched a new natural pet food line called Good Natured. But the natural formulation of the food is not the only special feature of this new brand: It also has a charity component. For every bag of food purchased, PetSmart will donate a meal to a pet in need through PetSmart Charities or PetSmart Charities Canada.

HEB is considering an acquisition of regional grocer Brookshire Grocery, which would expand HEB beyond Texas for the first time, according to a new report.

If this deal comes to pass it would put HEB in markets beyond Texas, as Brookshire has stores in Southwestern Arkansas and western Louisiana, reports MyEastTex.com. The company’s website store locator lists 117 stores — 80 in Texas, 26 in La. and 11 in Arkansas.

This holiday season, merchants will see at least one major change from last year: the prevalence of mobile wallets, and consumers eager to use them.  The problem is, while many large merchants are prepared to accept mobile wallets, many smaller merchants are not.

Here’s a primer on the major mobile wallets, and what merchants need to know about each.

Spoken word is the oldest form of human communication. It’s also one of the newest technology trends enabling omnichannel retail.

Voice-based communications are having on a dramatic impact on how retailing is seamlessly executed. Here are three key areas where voice is supporting omnichannel operations across the retail enterprise.

High shipping costs are the major barrier to adoption of global online shopping.

That is according to the 2015 Pitney Bowes Online Shopping study. High shipping costs (64%) were ranked as the biggest barrier in the survey, followed by additional fees owed at time of delivery (48%) and product delivery taking too long (39%).

Product returns are also a major concern, as 33% of global shoppers cited online return policies and processes as deterrents.

American Eagle Outfitters’ new home office, in the South-Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh, boasts a riverfront location, city views and a walking trail along the Monongahela River, reports the Pittsburgh Business Times.

With electronic devices in the hands of so many kids, YouTube is becoming a major force in driving their wish lists, according to a new report from Reuters. The wire service says that, as families prepare to spend an estimated $630.7 billion on gifts this holiday season, the smallest screens could have the biggest influence.

Huntsville, Ala. -- RCP Companies reveals plans for its newest development in Huntsville, Alabama, within the Central Business District. CityCentre at Big Spring is a $100 million mixed-use development project integrated within Big Spring on nine acres downtown and between Von Braun Center and Twickenham Square.

Site demolition has been completed with construction expected to commence by year-end and phase one opening in 2016.

As consumers continue to embrace athleisure wear, retail startups are clamoring to bust into the multi-billion dollar industry. Outdoor Voices – a chic athleisure wear brand for men and women, founded by 27-year-old designer and CEO Tyler Haney in 2012 – is doing a fine job of getting its foot in the door.