News

Study: The ins and outs of online shopping
E-commerce is generally popular with consumers, but some offerings are better received than others.

According to the Walker Sands 2016 Future of Retail Study, based on a survey of more than 1,400 U.S. respondents, most consumers shop online with some level of frequency. Forty percent shop online once or more a month, 21% one- to two-times a week, and 7% three or more times a week. This means that about two-thirds (68%) shop online at least monthly, while only 4% shop online one- to three-times a year.
Report: Ralph Lauren hires away Coach CFO
Jane Hamilton Nielsen, who just left her position as CFO of Coach Inc. to pursue other opportunities, is not waiting long to make her new role known.

According to Fortune, Ralph Lauren is expected to announce Nielsen’s hiring as its new CFO. She would replace current Ralph Lauren CFO Robert Madore, who has held that title since April 2015.

Bon-Ton gets to the root of seamless experience

When it comes to supporting the back end of omnichannel retailing, the Bon-Ton Stores Inc. digs deeper than supply chain.

Bon-Ton has selected the end-user experience monitoring (EUM) solution from Catchpoint Systems, a digital performance analytics company, to help optimize the company’s digital customer experience. Specifically, the retailer will use Catchpoint’s Synthetic (Active) Monitoring solution to ensure that its e-commerce website and mobile site deliver consistently high performance, and to find and fix issues before they impact consumers.
Q&A at RECon 2016 - Buxton
Familiar face returns to Under Armour

A veteran creative executive is coming back to Under Armour in a new role, following a short hiatus.

Dave Dombrow, former Under Armour senior VP, creative footwear and accessories, will return to the brand as chief design officer, beginning Aug. 1, 2016. In his newly created role as chief design officer, Dombrow will guide the design of Under Armour's entire collection of footwear, apparel and accessories.
Francesca’s profits stay above expectations; will open new stores

Francesca’s Holdings Corp. saw net income decline, but still beat Wall Street predictions, in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

The specialty apparel retailer reported net income of $7/08 million, down 2% from $7.24 million the same quarter a year earlier. Higher selling, general and administrative (S,G&A) expenses offset improvements in gross profit.
Louisiana shopping center welcomes new tenants

Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. are announcing several changes to Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Half Shell Oyster House will occupy 5,850-sq.-ft. of restaurant space, and is the newest addition to the eatery line-up. This will mark the ninth location for the seafood restaurant, and the first in Louisiana. Half Shell Oyster House is expected to open in November 2016.

Newly leased, Just 4 Him Men’s Haircut Lounge will occupy 1,267-sq.-ft. and is expected to open in September 2016.
Target shareholders vote on directors, exec compensation

Investors in Target Corp. decided on several important issues at the retailer’s 2016 annual meeting.

Shareholders elected 14 members of the board of directors, ratified the appointment of Target’s independent registered public accounting firm, approved proposal on compensation for executives and rejected one shareholder proposal.
Architecture firm names new VP

Tracy Borchardt has been promoted from senior project manager to associate VP of architecture firm CMA.

Borchardt joined CMA in 2003 as a project coordinator. In 2006, he was promoted to senior project manager. As of June 2016, he is now the associate VP of CMA.
Bebe launches new global growth initiative

Bebe Stores Inc. is building upon efforts to turn itself around and boost its international presence.

The specialty apparel retailer, which launched a China growth plan in 2015, has entered into a joint venture with Bluestar Alliance LLC to license its brand domestically and globally. Bebe has received $35 million in connection with the formation of the joint venture.