News

Cash is still king with U.S. shoppers
Pleasanton, Calif. - Shoppers are using a larger variety of payment options with digital and mobile payments serving as supplements to the traditional cash and card-based payments tools. According to a new study of 1,000 consumers released by Blackhawk Network, while 93% of consumers still use cash; 68% use debit cards; 62% use PayPal and 14% have made mobile payments on smartphones or tablets.
Kohl's teaching the technology of retail
Kohl’s is looking to mold the minds of the next generation of retailers with an innovative new program for students.

Retail disposition firm buys daily deal platform

Northbrook, Ill. - Hilco Merchant Resources LLC (HMR), a provider of retail disposition services such as liquidation and acquisitions, has purchased online retail and daily deal e-commerce platform Deal Genius LLC.

Deal Genius was launched as a flash retail sales web business in 2004. The site delivers daily deals on brand name home goods, apparel, consumer electronics, pet supplies and other merchandise. The company was founded by CEO Chris Matsakis, who will continue in that role going forward.
UPS delivers expanded e-commerce options

The e-commerce experience will be easier for retailers to execute and more enjoyable for shoppers this holiday season thanks to a dramatic expansion of a flexible fulfillment service UPS introduced last year.
What’s an Intern Innovate-a-Thon? Ask Kohl’s.

Milpitas, Calif. – Some interested students are getting a hands-on education courtesy of Kohl’s.

Kohl’s Digital Center, in Milpitas, Calif., is home to a summer internship program that gives students a first-hand look about the role technology plays in retail. On July 23, Kohl’s interns took part in Kohl’s first ever Intern Innovate-a-Thon.
Supervalu may spin off Sav-A-Lot

Supervalu Inc. said it is considering spinning off its Sav-A-Lot stores into a separate business as the discount chain reported a big earnings increase for the first quarter.

Net earnings soared 42% to $61 million, from $43 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Cost of sales rose at a slower pace than net sales, aiding profit growth. Net sales rose 3% to $5.41 billion, from $5.26 billion.
In-store experience evolves with customer expectations

Customer expectations of the store have changed dramatically in the last few years as constant connectivity has changed the way consumers live their lives. Johann Wrede, senior director of solution marketing for SAP, recently discussed the evolution of the in-store experience with Chain Store Age.

1. How have customer expectations for the in-store experience changed in the last few years?
Report: Is Amazon faster than a Jet?

Hoboken, N.J. – Early results indicate Amazon.com may be getting beaten by upstart e-commerce rival Jet.com on price, but Amazon is still outdoing the new kid on the online retail block in one key area. According to data from cloud services provider Instart Logic, the Jet.com homepage takes 25% longer to load than Amazon’s homepage.
Staples jumps into Windows 10

Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc. is enthusiastically jumping into the brand new market for the Windows 10 operating system, set for release on July 29. Starting July 29, customers can purchase the latest devices optimized for Windows 10 online at Staples.com and upgrade eligible devices to Windows 10 for free with Staples EasyTech Services.
Barbie who? The Bratz are back at Walmart

A popular fashion doll franchise is launching exclusively at Walmart stores.

After a few years on hiatus, the core Bratz dolls, Cloe, Yasmin, Jade and Sasha, are back along with the newest member to their group of besties, Raya. Walmart will carry the newly launched collection of dolls and playsets encouraging girls to tap into their creativity and imagination to create their own worlds. Also, Walmart is unveiling a line dedicated to a favorite childhood pastime, "Sleepover Party," available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and on Walmart.com.