News

Comcast has unveiled a futuristic-looking, tech-savvy store prototype aimed at enhancing the cable giant’s brand reputation and service experience. Focused on the customer, the new Studio Xfinity in Chicago aims to entertain, engage and inform shoppers with hands-on experiences.

Comcast partnered with ESI Design, New York City, on the 9,000-sq.-ft. store, which is also serving as a showcase for the company to debut and test new service initiatives.

“Couldn’t find it” and “couldn’t find help,” are all-too-common shopping experiences that kill sales and erode shopper loyalty.  Retailers are seeking better ways to combat these in-store ills, and new indoor positioning and wayfinding solutions have emerged as powerful tools to engage and assist in-store customers, at the precise point-of-purchase decision — the aisle and shelf.

This year more than ever, holiday shoppers are coming to retailers across a variety of channels and touchpoints. Retailers need to provide a consistent and personalized experience for customers wherever they are.

New York -- It’s almost September, which can only mean one thing: The annual blizzard of holiday sales forecasts is about to begin, and this year eMarketer is one of the first out of the gate.

The firm predicts a shiny and bright holiday season for U.S. retailers, with an assist from falling gas prices and online growth. eMarketer forecasts that U.S. retail sales in the months of November and December 2015 will increase 5.7% year-over-year, reaching $885.7 billion (includes online and physical store sales).

New York - Nine West Holdings Inc. is taking ownership of its Canadian brand assets, including 45 store leases.

The company has acquired the business operations of Sherson Group Inc., which previously held the exclusive rights to the Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit brands in Canada.

Nine West intends to continue providing these brands to customers across Canada at Nine West mall-based locations and Shoe Studio outlet stores, as well as at department stores.

Franklin, Tenn. – Out-of-stock merchandise is causing a significant drain on annual retailer revenue performance.

According to a new research report from retail analyst firm IHL Group, commissioned by OrderDynamics. Retailers and the Ghost Economy: The Haunting of Out-of-Stocks, retailers lose $634.1 billion in annual losses due to out-of-stocks.

Proposed changes to overtime exemptions could make store managers eligible

The Department of Labor’s long-awaited proposed revisions to the “white collar” overtime exemptions are finally here — at least, in part. On June 30, 2015, the DOL unveiled its proposed revisions to the required salary levels for many of the “white collar” exemptions to the FLSA’s overtime requirements.

Retailers are certainly attuned to the importance of mobile technology in today’s store environment. Customers who live mobile-enabled, “constantly connected” lifestyles expect the seamless mobile-physical overlap that exists in other parts of their lives to also be readily available when they enter a store.

However, when designing an in-store mobile experience, retailers typically focus their efforts squarely on the software side of the equation.

Along with increased sales and profits, the holidays also bring retailers increased strain on their networks. Fortunately, there are a number of steps retailers can take to keep their networks secure, scaled and operational throughout the busy holiday season. Jay Yanko, retail global practice leader for Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, has advice to keep the holidays networked and bright.

When it comes to security, Yanko said the same rules that apply the rest of the year apply during the holidays.

“The majority of holiday security issues are basic,” said Yanko.

When a retailer includes the word “brain” right in its name, a certain level of operational intelligence is expected.