News

Online groceries are habit-forming
Although not many consumers are currently shopping for groceries online, those who do are likely to be repeat customers.

According to “The 2016 Online Grocery Shopper,” a survey of more than 500 U.S. online consumers from Toronto-based grocery technology provider Unata, 8% of consumers bought groceries via Internet in 2015.

However, 93% of those shoppers said they are “likely” or “very likely” to buy groceries online in 2016.
What’s wrong with us? Most Americans not spending refunds
Retailers used to be able to count on Americans spending every penny of their tax refund, but that’s not the case anymore according to new research from the National Retail Federation.

Executive shake-ups, lay-offs at Bebe

Bebe stores has brought back its founder and former CEO to lead a turnaround effort that includes a 15% reduction in its corporate workforce.

The troubled retailer announced that founder Manny Mashouf has rejoined its management team as CEO, replacing Jim Wiggett, who was hired less than two years ago. Mashouf previously served as CEO from the company’s founding in 1976 to 2004, and then again from 2009 until the beginning of 2013, when he stepped down and became non-executive chairman.
Ollie’s offer size increased

Demand for shares of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is such that the retailer has increased the size of a secondary offering.
Gift Cards’ Appeal to Millennials

Gift cards are exceedingly popular with Millennials, as new research from the Wharton School’s Baker Retailing Center and The NPD Group found. Here is fresh insight as to why:
Most Americans not spending refunds

Retailers used to be able to count on Americans spending every penny of their tax refund, but that’s not the case anymore according to new research from the National Retail Federation.
Target execs share TED insights

Members of Target Corp.’s senior leadership team including CEO Brian J. Cornell, chief marketing officer Jeff Jones, and chief creative officer Todd Waterbury attended the recent TED Conference in Vancouver. In a post on the Target Bullseye Blog, the executives describe learnings such as the importance of empowering dreamers, the power of trust and reputation in social business, and why originals choose different Web browsers than everybody else.
Everybody loves Ollie’s, offer size increased

Demand for shares of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is such that the retailer has increased the size of a secondary offering.
Study: How often is mobile used in-store?

The image of shoppers hunched over their mobile devices while they browse store shelves may be less common than retailers imagine.

According to a new survey of 9,142 online consumers in the U.S. and Canada conducted by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity Inc., three-quarters (73%) of online buyers use mobile devices to shop online. However, only one in five (21%) use mobile devices to assist their in-store shopping experience. Mobile devices include both smartphones and tablets.
Inland Real Estate Acquisition announces promotions

Photo: Matthew Tice (left) and Mark Cosenza (right)