News

Coming soon to Nordstrom — cars
The nation’s highest-profile electric car-marker is taking an unusual route to get its product out in front of potential customers.
Fast-casual chain in Florida expansion
PizzaRev, the make-your-own pizza concept backed by Buffalo Wild Wings, will soon be on the march in South Florida. The company has signed a franchise agreement with Surfside Coffee, one of the largest Dunkin’ Donuts franchise networks in Florida, to develop 45 restaurants across greater Miami. The group’s first location is projected to open at the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

The downside of returns — for store employees

The liberal return policies of many big retailers are having a negative impact on the paychecks of store associates who receive commissions, according to a report by the New York Times.
Another retailer pilots same-day delivery service

Staples is hopping on board the same-day delivery train. The chain is testing “Staples Rush,” a same-day delivery service to its online customers in major metropolitan areas across the United States. It’s offering the service initially for a fee of $14.99 per delivery, which may change while the project is in beta.
Outdoor retailer expands business potential with data analytics

Arc’teryx Equipment, a Vancouver,Canada-based specialty retailer of high-performance outerwear and goods, is all about helping customers achieve their maximum potential. The retailer has decided to take that same performance-driven ethos and apply it internally with help from visual analytics technology provider Qlik. Arc’teryx is using the Qlik visual analytics platform to transform its operational efficiencies and expand its global footprint.
Facebook to track in-store visits and purchases

For retailers that advertise on Facebook, determining the volume of store traffic and purchases generated by the ads can be tricky at best.
Forget walkie-talkies — these store employees use voice-controlled wearables

Using walkie-talkies for in-store communication is old school at The Container Store. The retailer is rolling out voice-controlled wearable devices that enable hands-free communication over Wi-Fi networks to its store employees chainwide following a successful pilot.
Luxury department store reports decline in sales and profit

The combination of a cool spring and the continued pullback in luxury apparel spending took a toll on Neiman Marcus Group in the company’s third quarter. The department store retailer’s profit plunged 80% in the period ended April 30, down to $3.8 million from $19.8 million in the year-ago period. Total revenue for the quarter fell 4.2% to $1.17 billion, down from $1.22 billion a year ago. Same-stores sales fell 5%.
Music, books retailer files Chapter 11

Draw Another Circle, the parent company of Texas-based Hastings Entertainment, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with hopes of finding a buyer for its Hastings superstores.
Study sheds light on how many products Amazon actually carries (Hint: it’s a lot)

Amazon currently accounts for one in three shopping transactions in North America, but few details about the e-tail giant’s product assortment have not been readily available. Until now.