News

Study: Which grocery app do customers prefer?
Consumers are generally willing to use mobile apps to assist with grocery shopping, and there is one retailer whose app is the clear favorite.

According to a new study from Blackhawk Engagement Solutions,’ “How Grocery Shoppers Shop: Changing Trends in Grocery Shopping,” the top used grocery app among U.S. consumers by a wide margin is Amazon (71%). This is followed by grocery store apps (28%), Walmart (26%) and Target (25%). Third-party savings apps are not used much, with use in the low single digits for the grocery channel.
CVS Health annual sales top $150 billion
Fourth quarter sales at CVS Health surged 11% to $41.1 billion, enabling the operator of nearly 10,000 stores to surpass a significant annual sales milestone.

Online retail growth focus of new index

Some of the biggest names in e-commerce are part of a new investor index designed to track the performance of the online retail market.

San Diego-based EQM Indexes LLC, created the index (ticker symbol: IBUYXT) to track the combined performance of 40 to 50 global stocks that derive at least 70% of their revenue from online retail and virtual commerce including the online retail, online marketplace and online travel market segments. The companies that make up the index can be seen here.
Five trends that point to a new era for retail

Stores that double as classrooms, sensory-rich environments and a rental versus a buy retail model. These are three of the five trends that shopping center developer Westfield believes will shape the future of retailing.

The trends are highlighted in a new report from Westfield, "How We Shop Now: What's Next?," for which the developer interviewed 13,000 shoppers across the United States and United Kingdom along with leading industry experts and trend-spotters.

The five key trends are:
Commerce craftsmen changing perception

Pitney Bowes isn’t the first name that comes to mind when thinking of e-commerce, but the global technology company is out to change that perception by doing something for the first time in two decades.
Edwards Communities Development names partner to lease retail portion of The Highline at Nine

Columbus, Ohio -- Casto announced that it has been selected by Edwards Communities Development Company to lease the retail component of The Highline at Nine, Edwards new mixed-use project located in Columbus, Ohio.

The retail development is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2017. Located on the doorstep of The Ohio State University’s South Campus and the northern edge of the Short North Arts District, The Highline at Nine will include approximately 22,000 sq. ft. of prime retail and restaurant space along with 480 student housing beds.
Generations Y, Z differ in key shopping attitudes, habits

A new study of the retail habits of Generations Y and Z shows that the different age groups differ when it comes to using computers for online purchases versus shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.

A new GfK survey revelaled that Baby Boomers have been slower to adopt the smartphone as a shopping device. But when it comes to making purchases with a desktop or laptop computer, Boomers registered similar levels to Generation Y (40% and 43% respectively), while Gen Z came in at just 32%.
Kohl’s invites America to celebrate #AllTheGoodStuff

Kohl's is leveraging the popularity of the Oscars to kick-start the retailer's spring marketing campaigns in true omnichannel style.

The retailer announced that for the first time ever, the company will be the exclusive retail sponsor of the Oscars, which air this month.
Nordstrom rolls out campaign to attract young fashionistas

Nordstrom is launching a new national marketing campaign withprint, digital and video components as the retailer seeks to improve its connection with younger customers.
Target embraces special needs community with a Caroline's Cart at each store

Target is rolling Caroline’s Cart out to all of its stores nationwide beginning March 19, the retailer recently announced. The vast majority of Target locations, with the exception of smaller format stores where there are no full-size carts, will have at least one Caroline’s Cart, and many will have more, depending on their guests’ needs, Target said.