News

HRC study reveals they key challenges in retail supply chain — starting with online returns
Consumers may have an “I want it now” mentality, but most retailers are still struggling to deliver on the demand.

That’s one of the key findings of a survey by HRC Advisory, a leading strategic retail advisory firm and unit of Hilco Global, which revealed that 80% of retailers are not prepared for the “magnitude of change” required to transform their supply chains to a customer-centric, omnichannel model.
Study: Marketers, consumers discover mobile apps
San Francisco – Marketers and consumers are both discovering mobile apps in a big way.

According to the second Mobile App Advertising Trends Report from marketing technology provider Kenshoo, marketers increased their investment in mobile apps 293% in June 2015, compared to the same period a year earlier.

This increased investment followed a 346% increase consumer mobile app installs and 32% increase in click-to-install rate.

Three Ways Apple is Impacting Omnichannel

This year’s annual fall Apple event did not offer retailers anything quite as dramatic as last year’s introduction of Apple Pay and Apple Watch. However, there were still a few announcements with potential impact on the omnichannel landscape.

TV, or Not TV
Report: Chico’s considers private equity sale

Ft. Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. may be considering a sale to one of several private equity suitors.

According to Bloomberg, Chico’s has been approached by Sycamore Partners and is also in talks with other private equity groups about a possible sale.
Study: Retailers can’t perform crucial marketing task

Chicago – More than half of retailers struggle to perform a crucial marketing task. According to a new study of nearly 200 retailers from Yes Lifecycle Marketing and Retail TouchPoints, 52% of retailers have difficulty identifying and engaging their best customers.
Study: Smartphones key to online shopping

New York -- More and more consumers are browsing, creating baskets and making purchases from their smartphones, according to the latest Demandware Shopping Index.

Globally, phones accounted for 94% of the year over year increase in e-commerce traffic, 74% of the increase in basket creation and 47% of the order growth.
Food Lion rewards store brand shoppers

Food Lion is showcasing its redesign of its private label products by offering a special discount to customers who buy its store brands.

Now through Oct. 6, Food Lion shoppers will receive 25 cents back for every private brand item they purchase, up to $10, through the grocer's "Quarter Back" promotion.
Lowe's adds ex-Dollar Tree executive

With the seasonal merchandise season about to get into full swing, Lowe's has hired a marketing executive from Family Dollar to lead its seasonal product business.

Lowe's Companies Inc. announced that Jocelyn Wong has been named senior vice president and general merchandising manager for the company's seasonal product business area, effective Oct. 12. She will report to Chief Merchandising Officer Michael P. McDermott.
Lane Bryant promotes size equality across channels

New York – Lane Bryant is promoting equality for women who wear larger sizes with a new omnichannel campaign.

The specialty fashion retailer’s #PlusIsEqual campaign is using channels including social, TV, print and video to urge better treatment of women sizes 14-24 in the media and by retailers.
Lululemon net income slips in Q2

Vancouver – Despite a healthy increase in net revenue, net income slipped at Lululemon Athletica during the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Net income dropped 2% to $47.67 million from $48.75 million, with higher costs and expenses driving down profits.

Net revenue grew 16% to $453.01 million from $390.7 million, aided by an 11% increase in total comparable sales. This encompassed a 6% increase in same-store sales and 35% increase in direct-to-consumer sales.