News

Aaron’s hopes to amaze customers with new campaign
After posting record results in 2015, leading rent-to-own retailer Aaron’s is looking to keep the momentum going with a new ad campaign that highlights the company’s
Staples and FTC battle grows more contentious
The federal judge presiding over the Federal Trade Commission’s effort to block a merger between Staples and Office depot urged the parties to resolve their difference, but that seems unlikely given both sides are firmly entrenched in their positions.

Surging Hudson’s Bay details major investments in expanding Saks, Saks Off 5th and store renovations

On the heels of soaring profits and revenues in the fourth quarter, Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiatives this year, including a dramatic increase in the number of Saks Off 5th stores, store renovations and investments in technology.
PayPay cancels expansion in North Carolina over new law

PayPal announced it is cancelling plans to open a new operations center in North Carolina after the state passed a law that many see as restricting protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The news comes as leaders of the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, warned that “hundreds and perhaps thousands” of customers will not attend the Market, held in High Point, North Carolina in April, due to their opposition to the new law. The Market attracts retailers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers.
Demandware stays current with omnichannel trends

Retailers looking to keep up with consumer demand for an individualized and seamless customer experience have a new supporting technology option to consider.
H&M promotes fashion sustainability in April

Two major sustainability initiatives from H&M begin this month as the fast fashion retailer debuts a new line from Conscious Commerce co-founders Olivia Wilde and Barbara Burchfield and kicks off an apparel recycling effort.

The H&M Conscious Exclusive collection from Wilde and Burchfield will be available online at hm.com and in 165 stores beginning April 7. Meanwhile, H&M is set to begin is World Recycle Week initiative on April 18 which allows customers who drop off clothes at in-store collections bins to receive a 30% discount coupon.
Accessories retailer names new head of marketing

Charming Charlie has appointed Ujjwal Dhoot as VP of marketing, based in the specialty retailer’s Los Angeles office.

Dhoot previously served as chief marketing officer for FSAStore.com, responsible for the overall growth strategy, customer acquisition and retention, analytics development and testing for the FSA-eligible products and services shop. Before that, he was VP of marketing at 20x200, an online retailer for limited edition art.

Dhoot also served as VP of marketing at PetCareRx.com.
Report: Another teen apparel retailer considering bankruptcy filing

The rise of fast-fashion, changing fashion tastes and online commerce may be claiming another teen apparel retailer.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg, which cited people with "knowledge of the situation.” The report said the filing could occur as early as next week.
Fossil brings stores to the modern age

Whether customers at its stores are looking for convenient digital payment or easy access to product and price information, vertical specialty retailer Fossil Group Inc. is uncovering new mobile-enabled store services.

Richardson, Texas-based Fossil has selected in-store technology from Aptos Inc. (formerly Epicor Retail Solutions) including the vendor’s Mobile Store POS application. The company will initially deploy the solution at about 500 of its more than 600 corporate stores.
Climate Change Demands Retailers Rethink Cold Weather Apparel Strategies

Apparently shifts in weather patterns have thrown yet another curve ball to the traditional retail industry.