News

Pfizer vet named president at Bridgestone
Bridgestone Americas announced that TJ Higgins has been named president of the consumer U.S. and Canada divisions for the company's tire operations, effective Nov. 3. Higgins succeeds Gordon Knapp, who became COO of Bridgestone Americas in March.

Higgins brings more than 20 years of consumer products marketing and strategic business experience to Bridgestone. He most recently served as the North America regional president for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and also held leadership roles at Merck and Vlasic throughout his career.
Study: Nordstrom--online and in-store--top luxury retailer
New York -- Nordstrom came out on top in a ranking of luxury retailers by the Luxury Institute. According to the group's 2014 Luxury Multichannel Engagement Index, Nordstrom had the highest incidence of customers spending online (26%) and in-store (45%). It also led in its share of total fashion spend (17%).

Report: Amazon uses Facebook feedback to rate holiday toys

Seattle –- Amazon.com is reportedly using feedback collected from its “Amazon Moms” Facebook group and other corporate Facebook pages to help create promotional lists of holiday toys.
Luxottica sees higher Q3 profit, revenue; to pay Cavatorta $6 million

Milan, Italy –- Specialty eyewear retailer Luxottica Group S.P.A. reported increases in profit and revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income grew 10% to $259.2 million from $236.8 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year, while net sales rose 5% to $3.01 billion from $2.85 billion.
Study: Zappos is "simplest" U.S. brand

New York –- Online footwear retailer Zappos is ranked the simplest brand in the U.S. And that’s a good thing. According to the new Brand Simplicity Index ranking of U.S. brands from brand advisory firm Siegel & Gale, the top 10 list is dominated by retailers. The list includes Amazon.com at number two, Subway (#3), Pizza Hut (#4), Netflix (#5), Trader Joe’s (#6), Kroger (#7), McDonald’s (#8), Chipotle (#9) and Dunkin’ Donuts (#10).
Macy’s introduces Holiday Arcade in-store shops

New York –- For the upcoming holiday season, Macy’s is introducing the Holiday Arcade---in-store gifting shops that will launch at six Macy’s locations from late October through mid-November, including Macy’s South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif., Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco, Calif., Macy’s Dadeland in Miami, Fla., Macy’s State Street in Chicago, Macy’s Herald Square in Manhattan, N.Y., and Macy’s Center City in Philadelphia.
Deliv expands

Menlo Park, Calif. – Deliv is expanding its same-day delivery service ahead of the holiday season, doubling its footprint with the addition of four new geographies, including Seattle, Houston, northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The company partners directly with retailers to add the Deliv same-day delivery option into the retailer's checkout process, whether on their website, mobile app or in their physical store.
Survey: 6 in 10 shoppers ‘showroom’ in store

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Fifty-seven percent of consumers use their smartphones to assist shopping activities in store. According to new data from CFI Group's report "Holiday Shopping 2014: Shutting Down the Showroom Effect," which surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers and is sponsored by EBay Enterprise, 60% of survey respondents compare retailer's prices to their online competitors, while 63% use their phones to check prices at other local stores.
Big 5 tops Street in Q3 profit, revenue; will open 10 stores

El Segundo, Calif. –- Although Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. saw its net income decline 17% to $7.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $9.1 million in the same period a year earlier, the retailer still beat Wall Street profit expectations. Big 5 also surpassed Wall Street forecasts with net sales of $265.1 million, up 2% from $259.1 million.
Office Depot offers ‘Your Holiday Workshop’ campaign Nov. 2

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. launches its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign across all store locations and online on Nov. 2. “Your Holiday Workshop” efforts will include early Black Friday and “Every Monday is Cyber Monday” deals, and shopper services.
Study: Kate Spade provides best online customer service in September

New York -- Kate Spade provided the best overall customer service in Sept. 2014. This marks the retailer’s first time topping Stella Benchmarks from customer service research firm Stella Service in 2014. The retailer ranked in every area measured across fulfillment and customer care.
Toys 'R' Us launches omnichannel holiday promotion

Wayne, N.J. –- Toys 'R' Us Inc. is releasing The Great Big Christmas Book, the company’s annual holiday gift guide. More than 8 million Toys 'R' Us customers will receive a special edition of The Great Big Christmas Book, with deals valid Sunday, Nov. 2 through Saturday, Nov. 22, plus several “Ultimate Wish Saturday” events to be held throughout the month.