News

VenueLabs launches free social listening tool
Seattle –- VenueLabs is launching a free social listening tool geared for small businesses called AboutLocal. AboutLocal lets small retailers listen to and engage with customers in real time across hundreds of disparate channels.
Report: Wal-Mart centralizes IT approach
Santa Clara, Calif. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly developing a new centralized approach to how it prioritizes and executes IT projects. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart will now consolidate all IT projects into a single portfolio overseen by CIO Karenann Terrell.

Target’s holiday plans include free online shipping, new apps and pop-up store

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. on Wednesday fired the first retail salvo of the holiday season, announcing that, for the first time ever, it is offering free shipping on all online purchases—no matter the amount—from Oct. 22 through Dec. 20. The free shipping offer comes early in the holiday shopping timeline, reflecting retailers’ concerns about what is expected to be a highly promotional season.
Palladin Consumer Retail Partners takes major investment in Harrys of London

Boston -- Palladin Consumer Retail Partners announced a majority investment in Harrys of London, a London-based luxury shoemaker and accessories house known for combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest footwear technology. The Palladin investment will provide Harrys with capital to expand its operating team, open additional retail stores and invest in new initiatives to fund growth including marketing, merchandising, product development, and e/m-commerce.
Disrupting the Downturn — Avoiding the Lost Sale

By Farla Efros, HRC Advisory
Commentary: Chip-and-PIN Increases Cybersecurity

By Sandy Kennedy, president of RILA  (Editor’s note: The president of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Sandy Kennedy, wrote the following op-ed in The Hill, discussing why chip-and-PIN is one important layer of protection retailers, banks and the government can provide consumers.)
U.K. retailer Lakeland selects OrderDynamics for customer service
Canadian digital revolution coming to America

Revolutionary has become the most overused term in the retail industry and the latest company to apply that description to its retail offering is ironically called Retailcommon.
QVC promotes from within

The global leader in video and e-commerce retail announced the promotion of Mary Campbell to the position of Executive Vice President, US Commerce Platforms.

Campbell previously reported to Mike George, president and CEO of QVC, Inc. and was responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company's TV, web, mobile, tablet and social while translating the QVC brand across all platforms to drive customer engagement and e-commerce sales.
The elves are back at Office Depot

Office Depot, Inc.
Dollar General special report now available

Dollar General is already one of the nation’s fastest growing retailers and it could get even bigger a lot faster – with major implications for trading partners and competitors – if it prevails in its efforts to acquire Family Dollar.
Target unveils holiday initiatives

For the first time, Target will offer free shipping on all Target.com orders for the holidays, through Dec. 20. In addition, more than 65,000 items are now available for store pickup on Target.com and 80% of orders are fulfilled within one hour.