News

Specialty wine retailer applies data to new channel
Wine Riot, an online resource and event creator for wine aficionados, is entering the brick-and-mortar space with some analytical assistance. Created by Second Glass, a Boston-based wine event provider, Wine Riot provides online data about wine and also serves as a digital platform supporting in-person wine tasting events and exhibitions. As the company prepares to open its first physical store in Boston, it is deploying the RetailNext analytics solution.
Whole Foods gets whole picture of its business
Whole Foods Market, Inc. is teaming up with a well-known analytics provider to obtain a deeper understanding of its assortment and customer base. The specialty grocery chain has selected Nielsen as its primary U.S. analytics provider for POS data, consumer insights and industry metrics. Nielsen is working with the company to collaboratively create a customized natural and organic product hierarchy that will provide a comprehensive view of Whole Foods Market's product categories, including ingredient-level attributes.

Amazon brings more products to customer fingertips

Amazon.com is continuing to expand its assortment of Dash buttons.
Report: TJX Cos. among U.S. retailers to be impacted the most by Brexit vote

The recent vote by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union will have the biggest retail impact on companies that have high U.K. exposure, including U.S. off-price giant TJX Cos., MarketWatch reported. Swedish fast-fashion giant H&M is also among the retailers to be most impacted. The United Kingdom is the company’s third largest market, behind Germany and the United States.
Survey: How to compete against Amazon for holiday sales

Although Amazon poses a major holiday sales threat, there are steps retailers can take to produce a merry season. According to a new survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers by marketing platform provider Signal, 42% of respondents said Amazon will be their primary holiday gift destination. Consumers who use Amazon do so because it is easy (50%), because they are Prime members (36%), and because they like the product reviews and recommendations (29%).
Grocery store chain fined for refrigerant leaks; ordered to cut greenhouse gases

Trader Joe’s is cleaning up its act — with regards to the environment. In a proposed settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the EPA, the chain agreed to spend $2 million over the next three years to reduce coolant leaks from refrigerator equipment at its 460 stores nationwide, and also to pay a $500,000 related civil penalty.
Report: Bidder emerges for select Sports Authority stores

So far, bidding on the 464 stores of bankrupt sporting goods retailer Sports Authority has been limited. According to Reuters, Dick’s Sporting Goods has placed a bid on 17 Sports Authority stores, with other bidders only attempting to purchase single locations.
Japanese retail giant coming to Disney

Japanese specialty apparel retailer Uniqlo is expanding its U.S. presence into the Southeast, and is also expanding its relationship with Disney. The company will open a two-level, 25,000-sq.-ft. store on July 15 in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It will be Uniqlo’s first location in the Southeast.
Walmart Canada promotes COO to top spot

Walmart Canada has appointed Lee Tappenden, COO, Walmart Canada to the position of president and CEO, Walmart Canada, effective Aug. 15. Tappenden joined Walmart in 1996 and has held a number of global leadership roles with the company, including chief merchandising officer with Walmart Japan and VP of merchandising for the international division.
Destination XL reduces chargebacks at the source

Men’s apparel retailer Destination XL Group Inc. (DXL) is trying to make sure customers are satisfied at the very beginning of the fulfillment process. DXL is utilizing the EZ-Ship Scan/Pack solution from supply chain management technology provider NGC Software. DXL will use EZ-Ship to reduce chargebacks and packing errors by validating the contents of each carton and shipment sent from its factories.