News

The world’s most valuable brands are …
For the third consecutive year, Apple and Google came out on top in a ranking of the 100 most valuable brands in the world.
Kurt Salmon adds digital tech agency
Global management consultancy Kurt Salmon is acquiring digital retail technology agency Mobispoke LLC, the engine behind such technologies as smart fitting rooms, integrated mobile apps and other leading-edge, interactive shopping experience technologies.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; max-height: 100000px; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-family: open_sansregular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-

IDC: Omnichannel retailers must go along with the journey

Omnichannel retailing means a lot more than offering a consistent customer experience across channels.

According to a new report from IDC Retail Insights, “Omni-Channel Retail Execution Platforms for Now and the Future,” omnichannel retailing requires investing in technology that engages consumers in “customer-centric journeys.”
Report: Retailers of digital goods spend $10 million annually on fraud

Everyone knows fraud is costly, but it be more expensive than you think.

In addition to typical fraud costs, such as the loss of goods and chargeback fees, merchants that sell digital goods, such as MP3 files and streamed movies, each spend an average of $10.1 million every year on fraud-related costs.
A change in leadership for off-price stalwart TJX

One of the strongest performing retailers in the past few years will be getting a new CEO in January.

The company announced that current CEO and Chairman Carol Meyrowitz will step down and be succeeded by Ernie Herrman, 54, who will retain his current title as president of the company.
Tommy Bahama CEO says it's time to retire

There will be a change at the top of lifestyle apparel retailer Tommy Bahama.
4 shopping lessons for a strong holiday season

Every year, it seems, summer and the “back to school” shopping season go by in a flash.
Lowe's helps communities devastated by flooding

Lowe's is coming to the aid of the communities it serves with a donation to help provide relief in the wake of massive flooding in the Southeast.

The retailer plans to donate $500,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief and work to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities in the Southeast.
The Silver Lining of Recent Data Breaches

Retailers have always experienced a tension between investing to grow and investing to improve security. Not surprisingly, we’ve seen vulnerabilities arise when marketing and sales initiatives have trumped less sexy initiatives around security. In 2013, 61 million people had their personal data stolen from Target. One year later, 56 million credit and debit card numbers were exposed in Home Depot’s breach.
Whole Foods cuts ties with prison labor after backlash

On the heels of lackluster quarterly sales, job cuts and an overcharging scandal, Whole Foods is getting another round of bad publicity, and this time it’s about prison labor.

The retailer announced that it will stop offering products made by prisoners next year. The company specifically said it will stop selling tilapia sourced from Quixotic Farming and cheese distributed by Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, two private companies that partner with Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI), a division of Colorado's Department of Corrections.