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Tech Bytes: Three Ways Gen Z Will Change Retail
Everyone is talking about the huge impact millennials are having on retail. Also known as Gen Y, they are usually considered to occupy the 18-to-35 age demographic. But what about Gen Z, the younger siblings (or even children) of millennials?

Based on what we’ve seen so far, here are three ways Gen Z will change retail in the next few years.

Video Killed the Retail Star
Ikea testing in-store mobile activations
Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea is testing a mobile application feature that generates QR codes for the products in shoppers’ carts to help speed up checkout, according to a report by mobilecommercedaily.com.

The program eliminates the need for users to scan multiple items at checkout, according to the report.

Mackage, Montreal

Photos by Ben Rahn/A-Frame Studio

Canadian luxury outerwear brand Mackage returned to its hometown to open a sleek flagship that will serve as a prototype for the brand’s international rollout. The space evokes the dramatic beauty of artic winter landscapes, brought to life with luxurious materials.
Nautica gets back to its roots

New York City-based lifestyle apparel retailer, Nautica, a division of VF Corp., has opened a flagship in Manhattan, in the SoHo neighborhood. The 2,000-sq.-ft. store opening embodies the brand's refreshed marketing and design strategy which celebrates the company’s roots as well as its established nautical heritage.
Beauty retailer expands management team

Birchbox has added two new executives to enhance the customer experience, hiring VPs in product management and creative.

Terre Layton was named global VP of product management and user experience, responsible for global product management, the product strategy and roadmap, and the user experience. She most recently worked at Sephora, where she served as head of front-end product management and led strategic digital innovation projects. She has also consulted for several beauty retailers and e-commerce companies.
BJ’s names Bain exec to management team

BJ's Wholesale Club has appointed Lee Delaney as executive VP, chief growth officer, effective May 9.

Delaney will be responsible for the company's merchandising and supply chain organization.

Prior to joining BJ's, Delaney was a partner in the Boston office of Bain & Company, and a leader in the firm's consumer products practice.

Prior to joining Bain in 1996, he worked for Electronic Data Systems and Deloitte Consulting advising clients on a variety of engagements.
Retail gives back jobs in April

A surprising decline in retail hiring helped trigger a weak employment report for April.

Job growth in April slowed sharply to a seven-month low. The report gave back growth seen earlier in the year, and the retail industry — excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurants — showed a decline of 4,900 jobs, the National Retail Federation reported.
Pat Catan opens its first store under ownership of Michaels

Michaels Companies will unveil a 26,500-sq.-ft. Pat Catan’s Crafts and Floral store on May 13 – the first opening since Michaels acquired Pat Catan’s parent company earlier this year.
Adobe says digital trends look good for Mother’s Day

Online consumers appear to be remembering Mom this year.

According to new data from the Adobe Digital Index, online sales in the important Mother’s Day gift categories of flowers/gifts and jewelry are both trending 2%-3% higher than they were in 2015.
First look: Adobe says digital trends look good for Mother’s Day

Online consumers appear to be remembering Mom this year.

According to new data from the Adobe Digital Index, online sales in the important Mother’s Day gift categories of flowers/gifts and jewelry are both trending 2%-3% higher than they were in 2015.