News

Men’s Wearhouse to augment growth with new name
First Google became Alphabet and now Men’s Wearhouse is following suit by creating a new holding company structure under the name Tailored Brands, a corporate identity that hints at growth aspirations beyond the male demographic.
Tech Bytes: Three Factors that Doomed Google Glass with Consumers
Google is finally shutting down efforts to promote Google Glass as a consumer device.

Back in April 2015, Google said it would partner with Luxottica Group to create a more user-friendly version of the connected eyewear. This announcement followed Google’s decision to essentially putting Google Glass on hiatus in January 2015. However, consumers never took to Google Glass, and after releasing an initial flurry of apps, retailers never really did, either.

FTC: Identity theft rises sharply

Retailers looking for validation that their data privacy efforts matter can look to disturbing new figures from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

According to data released by the FTC, it received more than 490,000 consumer complaints about identity theft in 2015. This is a 47% increase from the number of identity theft complaints in 2014. The Department of Justice estimates that in total, 17.6 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2014.
Here's where the shoppers were last Christmas

Tuesday Morning's value proposition clearly resonated with shoppers over the holidays as the off-price retailer reported an impressive increase in same-store sales for the second quarter.

The Texas-based retailer said that for the second quarter and six months ended Dec. 31, net sales were $319.9 million for the second quarter, an increase of $18.5 million from the prior year period. Same-store sales increased 8.4%. Operating income for the second quarter was $20.6 million. Diluted income per share was 43 cents.
Shake Shack, Uber shake up rewards

Shake Shack and Uber have digitally collaborated on customer experience with a little help from Visa Inc.

In December 2015, New York-based, 66-unit Shake Shack and Uber utilized the new Visa Commerce Network to offer a cross-promotion. Built on the VisaNet electronic payment network and accessible through application programming interfaces (APIs), Visa Commerce Network works by connecting transactions between two merchants.
Report: Circuit City is making a comeback

Remember Circuit City? According to a new report from Twice, the new owners of the naming rights to the electronics chain have an ambitious plan to open retail outlets, websites, branded and private-label products, licensed kiosks, mobile shops and franchise opportunities -- all under the Circuit City banner. [Twice]
Coming soon: The Etsy of African and ethnic apparel

Shoppers frustrated by an inability to find trendy ethnic clothing will soon been able to access all manner of African inspired apparel via a new platform designed to connect buyers and sellers.

Scheduled to launch April 11, Boutique Africaine will serve as an online marketplace for ethnic clothing, accessories, and home and living items – and serve as yet another reminder of how the Internet enables the creation of new retail business models to serve the perceived unmet needs of niche consumer segments.
The Container Store gives (social) power to the people
Deliv fires salvo in same-day delivery war

UberRush is not the only online delivery provider looking to expand its reach.
Study: What do online shoppers like to avoid?

When it comes to e-commerce, the top driver is actually something the experience doesn’t offer.

According to two surveys of online shoppers in the U.S. and Canada conducted by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, in December 2015 and January 2016, a leading 55% of respondents cited the lack of crowds, traffic and hunting for parking as a top reason to buy online. Another 46% said shopping online takes less time than shopping in stores, while 46% also mentioned free shipping.