News

Study: Consumers more likely to shop tech-friendly retailers
A new study shows that consumer demand for mobile technology has reached a fever pitch, with most shoppers trending toward mobile-friendly retailers.

According to a study by SOTI, differentiating with mobile technology is proving successful among retailers, with 73% of survey respondents stating the availability of in-store mobile technology signaled better customer service and loyalty, an increase of 26% from the previous year.
2016 Retail IPO Outlook
When providing the BDO retail IPO outlook for 2015 at the beginning of this year, we asked: Will consumer businesses face a potential Alibaba hangover in 2015?

Genesco sells Lids team sports division

Genesco has sold a subsidiary that sells apparel and equipment to schools and youth sports programs to a larger Texas-based competitor.

BSN SPORTS, a division of Varsity Brands and a direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets, announced that it has acquired Lids Team Sports from the Lids Sports Group, a division of Genesco Inc.
H-E-B to open convenience store format

Citing a Virtual Builders Exchange report, the San Antonio Business Journal last week reported H-E-B would be opening a pureplay convenience store operation with plans to construct a 7,500-sq.-ft. convenience and fuel center.
Staples, Office Depot extend merger agreement

Staples is giving itself three more months before calling off its proposed $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot, giving the companies time to fight an antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission.
Walmart to hike pay of most U.S. workers; adding free short-term disability

The largest single-day, private sector pay increase ever will take effect Feb. 20, when more than 1.2 million Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates receive a pay increase.

The salary hike is the second phase of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment in workers. But it is broader than the original plan, which was announced last fall.
Report: Rite Aid deploys beacons in all its stores

Rite Aid has rolled out proximity beacons in more than 4,500 stores across the U.S., which, according to tech news website ZDNet, is the largest rollout of beacon technology ever in a retail setting.
Unilever targets football fans with Carson Palmer, Jordy Nelson ads

With the NFL Playoffs under way and Super Bowl 50 right around the corner, Dove Men+Care is challenging the idea that athletes’ strongest accomplishments happen on the field by celebrating the heroic impact of football greats in their personal moments.
Kmart launches pharmacy savings program

Kmart on Wednesday announced the launch of its new Pharmacy Savings Plus program, an initiative aimed at saving underinsured or uninsured patients money on their prescriptions and other pharmacy services.
Dillard's cookbook nets more than $850K for RMHC

Dillard’s Inc. is giving more than $850,000 to local Chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities after selling its exclusive Southern Living Christmas Cookbook.

For the eighth time, Dillard’s offered a special custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC. This exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with fabulous holiday recipes, color photos, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas.