News

PetSmart revs up store expansion
The nation’s largest specialty pet supplies retailer is upping its store growth this year. PetSmart said it expects to open approximately 80 net new stores in fiscal 2016, up from 50 locations in fiscal 2015. PetSmart is on its way to meeting its goal, having opened 12 net new stores in the United States and Canada during the quarter ended May 1, 2016. The new locations average over 12,000 sq. ft., and include service offerings such as grooming and pet training.
Israeli start-up targets Amazon Dash
The IoT-based home shopping landscape is getting a little more crowded.

Michael Glimcher steps down from the company founded by his father

WP Glimcher announced that CEO and vice chairman Michael Glimcher has resigned from the REIT founded by his father, Herbert. Board member Louis Conforti was named interim CEO at the company slated to be rebranded as the Washington Prime Group. Several other senior leadership changes were announced, including the replacement of Mark Ordan as board chairman with Robert J. Laikin, who had been the board’s lead independent director. Ordan stays on as a director.
Study points up importance of the human touch in shopping journey

A traditional, low-tech customer service feature can help prompt shoppers to follow the path to purchase. According to a new study from technology services company Mindtree, “Mindtree Shopper Survey 2016,” good old-fashioned human sales associates have a big impact on consumers moving from thinking about a purchase to actually making one.
Circuit City charging up for store reboot

Circuit City is reportedly getting closer to a relaunch.
Home furnishings retailer expanding in Southeast

Ikea is submitting plans to the City of Norfolk, Virginia, to open a 331,000-sq.-ft. store. Pending approvals, construction of the proposed store could begin in spring 2017, with an opening in summer 2018. The retailer said it would evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.
Longtime Kroger exec retires

After 44 years of service, Donna Giordano, president of the Ralphs division of The Kroger Co., is retiring. Giordano’s retirement from the company will be effective July 23. She joined the company's King Soopers banner as a courtesy clerk in 1972, while still in college, and was named store manager at King Soopers in 1982. Giordano later held various director-level positions in key areas, including advertising, bakery, general merchandise, grocery, and pharmacy.
CVS Pharmacy in 2,900-store healthy food commitment

CVS Pharmacy is upping its game on food.
Study: Millennial shoppers can be selfish, too

Despite their reputation as a generation dedicated to the greater good, millennial consumers are in some ways more narrowly focused than their Gen X elders. According to a new study of more than 7,000 global consumers conducted online in April age 18-55 conducted by sales and marketing firm Daymon Worldwide, 35% of both millennial and Gen X consumers prefer buying sustainable products.
Lands’ End names new marketing chief in leadership shakeup

Specialty apparel retailer Lands' End is making a number of new executive appointments in the marketing and merchandising areas of the company.