News

Overstock outfits a partnership with HGTV
Overstock.com is embarking on a promotion that promises to wow many of its core shoppers, as well as avid viewers of home and garden shows.

The retailer is partnering with HGTV to furnish a home as part of the annual HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 giveaway. This year's home is an approximately 1,300-square-foot bungalow located in the heart of trendy artistic enclave Asheville, N.C. (as shown above).
At Hhgregg, it's not too early for holiday hiring
Hhgregg says it is trying to get ahead of an ever-earlier holiday shopping season by starting to hire seasonal employees now.

The retailer plans to hire more than 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

Lowes upgrades Pro site

New York -- Lowe's is investing in helping its professional customers save time, money and run their businesses more efficiently.
Gap second quarter looking lackuster

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. is still searching for its turnaround.

Gap Inc. issued a second-quarter earnings forecast that was below Wall Street analysts' estimates, with its results impacted by foreign currency fluctuations, West Coast port delays and previously announced store closings in its namesake brand.

Gap reported less-than-expected total sales of $3.9 billion for the second quarter, down 2% from the $3.98 billion the year-ago period.
Order ahead at Jamba Juice

Emeryville, Calif. -- Jamba Juice is making it more convenient for customers to get their smoothies.

The chain announced that consumers will now be able to skip the line at over 200 stores where the retailer will be rolling out the first phase of its new mobile order-ahead app. The new smartphone tool is available on the Jamba Juice app.
From Staples, school supplies that can change the world

As back to school season heats up, Staples is launching an innovative promotion that aims to give students in North America the opportunity to make a world of difference with their back-to-school purchases.
In-store still sells

New York -- Female millennial shoppers still like the mall when it comes to shopping for back-to- school goods, and they are also using social media platforms to talk about it.
Walmart gets serious about health care clinics

An early proponent and innovator of retail health care clinics has joined Walmart in a new role that suggests the world’s largest retailer is ready to make some major moves.

Retail clinic pioneer Sandra Ryan has accepted a position with Walmart to lead their Care Clinic business, Drug Store News has learned, in a move that suggests the world's largest retailer is ready to make some major moves in the retail clinic space.
No sign of any turnaround for the Gap

The turnaround at Gap Inc. is still struggling to get off the ground, if the retailers' latest round of financial results are any indication.

Gap reported that net sales for the four-week period ended Aug. 1 were $1.12 billion compared with net sales of $1.17 billion for the four-week period ended Aug. 2, 2014. For the second quarter of fiscal 2015, Gap Inc.’s net sales decreased 2% to $3.90 billion compared with $3.98 billion for the second quarter last year.
Mobile payments now accepted at Rite Aid

Camp Hill, Pa. — Rite Aid is making it easier for customers to make purchases.