News

Post-online jobs report: 1.2 million fewer retail workers
If online retail didn’t exist, 1.2 million more people would be working in the retail industry. Online productivity is that much higher, according to J.P. Morgan Chief U.S. Economist Michael Feroli. He told MarketWatch that revenue per online employee is four times greater than the brick-and-mortar variety: $1,267,000 to $279,000.
Department store retailer narrows loss
The Bon-Ton Stores reduced its loss in the second quarter amid fewer markdowns and inventory controls, but sales fell as mall traffic remained soft. The retailer posted a loss of $38.7 million in the quarter ended July 30, compared with a net loss of $39.6 million in the year-ago period. Total sales fell 2.4% to $542.4 million, compared with $555.4 million last year. Same-store sales were down 2.0%.

Cole Haan, One World Trade Center, Manhattan

Cole Haan has opened a global flagship at the just-opened Westfield World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. And the retailer is making it easy for shoppers to get there by linking up with Uber.
Two off-price retailers set to open at Butler’s Gainesville complex

Payless ShoeSource and Marshalls will be opening their doors in the coming week in the Butler North power center of Butler Enterprises’ 267-acre retail park in Gainesville, Florida. Walmart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods made their debuts there earlier this year.
Wal-Mart roars in Q2; raises forecast

Wal-Mart Stores surprised the industry on Thursday with better-than-expected profit and revenue for the second quarter. The chain raised its full-year outlook in the wake of its strong performance. The retailing giant reported that its net income rose 8.6% to $3.8 billion in the quarter ended, up from $3.5 billion in the year-ago period. Total revenue rose 0.5% to $120.85 billion in the quarter, slightly above analysts' projection.
This is what grocery shoppers value the most

Fresh produce comes out on top as the most important feature to customers in their grocery store experience. That’s according to a new report by Acosta, a full-service sales and marketing agency in the CPG Industry, in which fresh produce (89%) ranked as a more important feature than competitive pricing (86%) and product selection (84%).
King of Prussia Mall opens 155,000-sq.-ft. wing

Simon has opened the doors on a new 155,000-sq.-ft. wing at its King of Prussia Mall that connects the five-anchor Plaza and two-anchor Court. The Pennsylvania mega-mall’s footprint now encompasses 2.9 million sq. ft. Longtime tenants Burberry, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany relocated to the new addition. Some 50 new stores will populate the space, led by high-fashion and luxury brands such as Calligaris, David Yurman, Jimmy Choo, CH Caroline Herrera, and Diane von Furstenberg.
Survey: Hispanics rely on phones to make back-to-school choices

Three-quarters of Hispanic shoppers in the U.S. will make back-to-school purchase in stores, but which ones will be strongly influenced by their mobile marketing offers. A survey of 500 Hispanic consumers conducted by mobile ad platform Retale found nine out of 10 saying they’d be using their smartphones to shop and that their dollars would be put toward the best deals.
Apple makes it 10 in New York City

Apple has opened its 10th store in New York City, inside the shopping area at the new World Trade Center Transportation hub in lower Manhattan. The store draws inspiration from the surrounding structure, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava, to create a seamless space. The interior design is fairly standard for Apple, with the exception of a huge video wall and seating area.
CVS Pharmacy commits $100,000 to Baton Rouge relief efforts

CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation on Thursday announced a $100,000 donation in cash and in-kind support to organizations providing relief efforts to flood victims in central Louisiana, including the Salvation Army USA Southern Territory and the American Red Cross.