News

Leases for 320 Sports Authority stores to go to auction
Sports Authority’s remaining 320 store leases will be auctioned in June.
Big Lots makes big splash with profit growth, healthy sales
Another value retailer has posted a stellar first quarter, outshining traditional department stores and many specialty stores. Big Lots Inc. surpassed Wall Street expectations with net income and revenue performance that one major presidential candidate might term “huge.”

Gap exec moving over to specialty athletic retailer

A store development executive from Gap Inc. has been tapped to head up real estate for Foot Locker. Foot Locker announced the appointment of Scott Martin as senior VP – real estate, effective June 13. Martin succeeds Jeffrey Berk, who retired in April after almost 20 years with the company.
Three Retailers Who Threaten Amazon

Amazon.com is starting to appear like the ‘Teflon e-tailer.”
Forrester: Four steps to mobile loyalty

Consumers who use mobile devices for shopping are prime targets for retailer loyalty programs. According to a new study from Forrester Research, “Master Your Mobile Loyalty Moments,” customers who participate in loyalty programs are more likely to be mobile. Forrester data shows 31% of loyalty program members, but only 15% of all U.S. online adults, will use a brand’s mobile app.
Online jeweler continues offline expansion

Blue Nile is expanding its fledgling store portfolio. The online jewelry retailer has opened its second physical location, at The Westchester mall in White Plains, New York. Blue Nile opened its first store in June 2015, at Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City, New York. Two additional locations will open later this summer: one at Tysons Corner Center mall in Fairfax County, Virginia, and one at the Washington Square mall in Portland, Oregon.
TechBytes: Three Retailers Who Threaten Amazon

Amazon.com is starting to appear like the ‘Teflon e-tailer.” According to eMarketer data, Amazon captured $79.3 billion in U.S. e-commerce sales between April 2015 and April 2016, growing 13% year-over-year. Its next-closest rival, Walmart, took in just $13.5 billion online in that period. However, Amazon may not be invincible. Here are three retailers who could pose a real challenge to Amazon’s e-commerce dominance:
Chargebacks 101: What E-Commerce merchants should know

Credit card chargebacks are a costly reality for online merchants. Chargebacks occur when customers contact their credit card issuers to dispute charges. If an issuer deems a dispute valid, the e-commerce merchant is required to pay the amount owed for the transaction plus a chargeback fee from the processer – which can range from $15 to $100.
Study: How to boost store conversion and traffic

Retailers are always asking how they can increase the numbers of shoppers who visit and buy goods at their stores. According to a study from store traffic and conversion measurement provider HeadCount, “In-store Traffic and Conversion Study: Retailers Find Keys to Impressive ROI,” the answer lies in combining data-driven coaching with analytics.
Ulta soars — online and in store

Ulta Beauty turned in what could be the best retail performance of the first quarter, posting strong brick-and-mortar and online growth and results that easily topped estimates. The company boosted its guidance for the year. Ulta’s net sales for the quarter, ended May 2, surged 23.7% to $1.07 billion, up from $868.1 million in the year-ago period, and surpassing estimates for $1.03 billion. E-commerce sales shot up 38.8% to $61.0 million from $44.0 million last year.