News

Embracing Social Media to Enhance Customer Experience
Many companies have developed robust social media platforms for marketing and advertising, but aren’t quite sure how to manage customers who visit a company’s site to lodge a customer service inquiry, simply vent or even express satisfaction with a product or service.

They simply run away from customers. Yet, these same companies would never ignore a customer phone call or email, probably because it seems more controllable than the social media environment.
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.
Groupon seeks many happy returns

Online deal provider Groupon is attempting to increase supply chain efficiency in a way that will allow it to offer even more and better discounts.

Groupon is partnering with Optoro, a platform for returned and excess inventory, to better process returns for its Groupon Goods business. Groupon Goods offers discounts on physical items.
Ahold, Delhaize set shareholder meeting dates to decide merger

Ahold and Delhaize Group on Monday announced that they have called Extraordinary General Meetings for March 14, 2016, during which their respective shareholders will consider and vote on the proposal to approve the companies' intended merger.

Ahold has also made publicly available the prospectus included in its F-4 registration statement, which has now been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and its approved EU prospectus. These are required steps in the process of completing their merger.
He’s not done: Dov Charney looking to return with new retail format

American Apparel founder and ousted CEO is nothing if not determined.

Days after a bankruptcy court judge rejected a takeover proposal by Hagan Capital and Silver Creek Capital Partners that would have also returned Dov Charney to a leadership position at American Apparel, the controversial founder is reportedly already at work on his return to the retail scene.
Target adds A-Lister brand to beauty aisle

With award season here, Target is hoping shoppers will want to get the red carpet look of their favorite celebrities.

The retailer announced it has begun carrying a favorite skin care line of A-Listers: Embryolisse. The premium assortment features high-end masks, firming creams and cleansing milks that specialize in anti-aging and deep hydration.
Be like Beckham, global superstar reprises role in H&M campaign
Destination XL the momentum — and store expansion — going

Destination XL increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2015 after the men's big-and-tall retailer pre-announced increased profit and high single-digit same-store sales for the fourth quarter.
How ‘Project Leapfrog’ helps Lucky Brand win

Lucky Brand may be 25 years old, but with two new prototypes performing well and a series of omnichannel investments yielding results, the private equity-backed company’s most significant growth could be just beginning.