News

Accenture: Mobile retail not advancing quickly enough
Retailers are failing to meet consumer demand for increased convenience while shopping with mobile devices.

According to new research from Accenture, the number of consumers shopping with mobile devices, grew 10% in the past year, from 36% of consumers in 2014 to 40% in 2015.

Not surprisingly, the number of shoppers who want more retail services via mobile devices, particularly real-time in-store promotions, also grew to 47%, up from 40% in 2014. However, only 7% of retailers said they currently have the ability to send real-time promotions.
Giant makes big on-demand delivery move
Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food is joining the trend of retailers making online deliveries to places beyond consumer homes.

The Peapod by Giant online delivery service is now allowing Washington, D.C.-area shoppers to place their orders online and pick them up at one of three Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) stations: Fort Totten, Glenmont and Vienna. Peapod is an online grocer that shares its Ahold parent company with Giant and will execute deliveries for the service.

Report: U.S. retail and consumer M&A value at five-year high in 2015

The year 2015 was a big one for mergers and acquisitions in the retail and consumer sectors, with 31 multibillion dollar deals driving activity during the year.

United States retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value for 2015 hit a five-year high and surpassed the $100 billion mark for the third year in a row, according to PwC’s U.S. retail and consumer deals insights 2015 Year in Review and 2016 Outlook report.
Publix heads north, enters seventh state

Publix Super Markets has signed two leases for its first stores in Virginia.

The first Publix locations in that state will be in Bristol and in the greater Richmond area of Glen Allen. The Bristol store, at 54,000 square feet, will be located at the northeast corner of Lee Highway & Clear Creek Road in Washington County. In the greater Richmond area, the Glen Allen store, at 49,000 square feet, will be located at the northeast corner of Nuckols Road & Twin Hickory Road in Henrico County.
Here's what will be flying off shelves this Super Bowl week

Retailers surely expect to move a lot of salty snacks and beer ahead of Super Bowl Weekend, but candles too?

That’s just one of the more interesting items a new survey reveals as the product categories most impacted by the big game. IRI released data detailing the sales lift of various food, beverage and consumer product categories in the run up to Super Bowl Sunday.
Allen Edmonds switches channels with ease

Vertical omnichannel footwear retailer Allen Edmonds Corp. needs to ensure brand and price consistency across a dizzying array of consumer touch-points.

Port Lake, Wisconsin-based Allen Edmonds is using the Ugam brand intelligence solution to monitor channel pricing, enforce minimum advertised price policy and manage channel relationships. Allen Edmonds needs to manage these activities in its 59 corporate stores and e-commerce site, as well as with third-party retail partners.
Carry On, Salt Lake City International Airport

Brookstone has unveiled a new retail brand, Carry On, in the Delta Terminal at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Created for airport locations and designed by Boston-based Bergmeyer Associates, the approximate 800-sq.-ft. store offers an assortment of travel-friendly products, from “packable” apparel to luggage and wallets. Additional locations are expected to open this year.
Gordon Brothers finance unit names board member CEO

Eugene Martin was named president and CEO at Gordon Brothers Finance Company succeeding Patrick Dalton who had previously announced plans to step down.
Lumber Liquidators settles with Department of Justice for $13.2 million

Lumber Liquidators has been handed its penalty by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of illegal sourcing, which will amount to $13.2 million in fines and forfeitures.
99 Cents Only holding Valentine’s Day hug-off

99 Cents Only has done it again. The company’s penchant for clever promotions will be on display on Valentine’s Day in the parking lot of one of its stores on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.