News

Houston town center completes phase one
The first phase of Fairfield Town Center in northwest Houston is nearing completion and should be fully operational by Black Friday, promises owner Washington Prime Group, formerly WP Glimcher. Already open and operating at the 600,000-sq.-ft. development are HEB, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Chick-fil-A, and McDonalds, among several others. The fully populated center will include Marshalls/Homegoods, Ulta, Chipotle, and Dress Barn.
NRF to Visa: Stop using EMV tech to steer debit to network
Is Visa violating retailers’ “freedom of choice?” The National Retail Federation, among other retail associations, believe so, claiming that the card issuer is using new Europay MasterCard Visa (EMV) technology to steer debit card transactions to its own processing network. According to the Federal Reserve, this violates merchants’ legal right to competition over who will process the transactions, according to a statement from NRF.

PetSmart taps Fitch for new store design

PetSmart is working with retail and design consultancy Fitch to develop a new store environment. The test store will open in Highland Ranch, Colorado, in fall 2007, and will bring a fresh, new and engaging customer experience to the pet retail marketplace, PetSmart said.
Study: More shoppers will go mobile on Cyber Monday

Consumers are warming up their fingers as they prepare to shop on Cyber Monday. As more of these shoppers (63%) flock online for Cyber Monday, 54% will use a desktop or laptop. Twenty five percent (25%) of shoppers plan to use a smart phone or tablet, but 21% will use a combination of all of these devices, according to “Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving 2016,” a report from Perk, an engagement platform provider. The study is based on responses from 670 Perk users between Nov. 1-8, 2016.
Nielsen: Digital shopping to drive holiday sales in 2016

As shoppers use more devices to shop their favorite brands, it is not surprising that digital shopping will drive retail holiday sales. This message was delivered in Nielsen's 2016 holiday trend report, which tapped 1,159 adults aged 18 years and older. As of Nov. 11, online shopping was outpacing in-store visits, with 58% of shoppers already purchasing their holiday gifts online compared to 40% that went to big-box retail stores, and 25% who visited department stores.
Another off-pricer soars in Q3

The U.S. shopper’s love affair with the off-price channel shows no signs of winding down any time soon. Ross Stores easily beat analysts’ expectations as its earnings increased 13% in the quarter ended Oct. 29, amid better-than-expected revenue growth and stronger margins.
London’s newest retail attraction opens to big crowds

Folks were lined up down the block for the opening of The Lego Group’s largest – and most ambitious – store in the world.
Study: Holiday season has a dark side

Retailers had better watch out, as ’tis the season for fraud — especially in an age of omnichannel retail. Omnichannel retailing opens up new avenues for fraudsters — especially during the holidays, according to the “Annual Holiday Fraud Index” from Radial. The study, based on data from hundreds of clients and billions of data elements, reveals Europay, Mastercard, Visa (EMV), cross-border, and digital gift card trends that could put retailers’ bottom lines at risk.
Report: J. Crew mulls options for its popular Madewell brand

J. Crew Group is reportedly considering options for its popular Madewell brand, which it launched in 2006. According to Reuters, the retailer, which has struggled with slumping sales in its namesake division, is working with investment bank Lazard Ltd. to assess multiple strategic and balance sheet options for Madewell, which operates some 108 stores.
Staples brand to disappear from the United Kingdom

A familiar U.S. retailer will soon make its exit from the U.K. retail scene. Staples, which operates some 105 stores in the United Kingdom, has agreed to sell its U.K. retail business and operations to Hilco Capital Limited. The use of the Staples brand in the U.K. will be phased out over the coming months. In May, Staples announced plans to explore strategic alternatives for its European operations as part of its new strategy.