News

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.
Sears targets familiar rival with connected home products

Struggling Sears Holdings Corp. may be aiming its new line of connected home appliances and tools directly at rival department store chain J.C. Penney.
Study: Not all online purchase journeys are the same

There are four main channels consumers use to initiate an online purchase, and each one results in a different experience.
Wayfair shifts veteran exec to new role

Michael O’Hanlon, who has been an executive with Wayfair Inc. for a decade, is transitioning to a new role with the company. O’Hanlon has been named VP of government and industry relations. Previously Wayfair’s VP of corporate and business development since September 2006, O’Hanlon will now spearhead government relations strategy and ongoing collaboration with legislators, policymakers, regulators and other industry leaders at the federal, state and local levels.
NRF backs reduction in corporate tax rate

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting a tax reform proposal released today by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas.
New e-commerce platform seeks to reshape women’s apparel shopping

Determining if an online clothing purchase will fit properly is a challenge for many women. Launched in May 2016, e-commerce site Fovo curates apparel selections that are tailored to female shoppers’ specific body shapes. “The way forward is personalization,” said Fovo cofounder Kiana Anvaripour in a Chain Store Age interview. We want to help women optimize the experience of shopping online for apparel so the ‘endless scroll’ doesn’t exist.”
Smaller, local merchants bring new energy to shopping centers

Malls and outdoor centers are increasingly seeking out small and local merchants to help them stand out from the competition. Kimco, for example, has expanded a program that offers small businesses one year of free rent and reduced property charges, CNBC reported. Originally started in California four years ago, the program has since been expanded to centers in 19 states.
Amazon inches closer to the top in another category

Watch out Best Buy, the nation’s largest ecommerce retailer is on your tail. According to a report by barrons.com, Amazon has moved ahead of Walmart to take the number two spot, behind Best Buy, as the nation’s largest electronics retailer.