News

Sycamore Partners to buy Belk for $3 billion
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is adding a department store to its growing portfolio, which includes such brands as Aeropostale, Jones New York and Nine West.
Johnson & Johnson exec to lead hardlines for Sears
Sears Holdings Co. has made an interesting choice to lead its hardlines division.

The company announced that Lynn Pendergrass has joined the company in the new role of president, hardlines. In this position, she will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners — including Home Appliances, Lawn & Garden, Tools, and Sears Auto Centers — to develop compelling offers and build relationships with members who shop the hardline categories.

Curbside pickup gets even more hands-free

Store pickup at Target, Best Buy and other major retailers is getting a boost from a whole new innovation from tech startup Curbside.

The company, which has partnered with these retailers to provide a curbside pickup app for its customers, has unveiled its first ever Curbside Pickup Pod at the Glendale Galleria mall in Southern California.
Low gas prices expected to fuel jump in holiday sales

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.
Embrace change and ‘interruption,’ NACDS leaders urge TSE attendees

Massive changes in healthcare delivery, the rise of a new generation of health consumers and other forces continue to upend the practice and business of chain pharmacy, NACDS leaders told attendees of the Business Program at the 2015 NACDS Total Store Expo conference.
Miami Home Centers joins the True Value family

The newest addition to the True Value Company cooperative is a 60-year-old hardware chain based in South Florida.
E-commerce giant to stop using Flash

Consumers who visit one of the Internet's biggest retailers won’t have to worry anymore about seeing messages informing them they need to install or update Adobe Flash.
Dollar General digs deep in pockets for literacy

Dollar General is trying to launch a literacy revolution in in its home state of Tennessee.

The retailer presented a surprise check to students, teachers and administrators at H.B. Williams Elementary in White House, Tenn., for $50,000 to support literacy initiatives at the school.

"Reading is critical to a child's success in school and in life. We hope this gift will help infuse a renewed excitement about reading and strengthen the literacy programs available to the students," said Denine Torr, senior director of Community Initiatives at Dollar General.
Macy's asks consumers to give back while shopping

Macy’s is appealing to customers with a favorite cause by asking shoppers to participate in the retailer's marquee charity event.

The retailer will hold its annual “Shop For A Cause” event, a unique, one-day-only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts, on Aug. 29. Since 2006, the program has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charities across the country.
Autumn at Lands' End is all about omnichannel

Lands’ End has announced a new omnichannel fall marketing campaign which includes a catalog strategy, complementary digital initiatives and an overall brand advertising campaign.
Target revamps shopping experience for buyers

Target Corp. is doing a little shopping of its own with a new sourcing solution that gives its buyers an online shopping-like experience.
Texas has space for fifth Amazon fulfillment center

Seattle – Texas is known for its wide open spaces, and Amazon.com Inc. is slowly filling them in with distribution centers. Amazon plans to open a fifth Texas fulfillment center in San Marcos.

Amazon employees at the 855,000 sq.-ft. San Marcos fulfillment center will pick, pack, and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics and toys.