News

Walmart launches click and collect in Canada
Walmart has experimented with grocery delivery and store pick up in the U.S. for several years and now it is testing the waters in Canada.

Walmart chose Ottawa, a medium-sized city an hour west of Montreal in the French-speaking province of Quebec, as the first market in Canada to receive the Online Grocery Pickup service. Eleven stores in the city are part of the program. Six locations are scheduled to go live on July 7 with another five stores due to come online July 21. Walmart operates 395 stores throughout Canada.
Amazon says ‘Happy Prime Day’ on July 15
Seattle – July is often a slow-paced month for consumers, but Amazon.com is seeking to change that. In an effort to promote its Amazon Prime paid loyalty program, the retailer is encouraging customers to celebrate “Prime Day,” a one-day global shopping event on July 15 that is says will have more deals than Black Friday.

Beyond the buzz, personalization offer retailers real potential

An expanded relationship between IBM and Adobe promises to give retail marketers new dynamic personalization powers to increase sales.

Adobe announced an integration with IBM WebSphere Commerce that the companies believe give marketers the ability to create and deliver powerful experiences across all digital channels.
Summer camp redefined at Books-A-Million

Books-A-Million is re-defining the meaning of summer camp and fun for kids this summer with a new character-based series of store events.

Summer Fun Camps at Books-A-Million will take place from 2-4 pm each Saturday in July, and feature activities based around popular characters like the Minions, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. The camps will take place at all Books-A-Million locations.
Lowe's makes a change in finance team

Lowe's says it is making an investment in its long-term financial strategy with its latest move on its finance team.
Lids will keep playing ball with MLBPA

Indianapolis - Lids Sports Group will continue living out the childhood dreams of countless consumers by “playing ball” with Major League Baseball players. Lids has reached a licensing agreement extension with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) granting the sportswear retailer licensing rights to embroider the names, numbers and autographs of MLBPA players on New Era MLB-licensed caps.
American Apparel may need more money to keep going

American Apparel Inc. is launching a restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs as the retailer looks to turn around its struggling business.

The retailer said it would be closing stores, cutting jobs and unveil a new fall line.
Walmart Canada launches grocery pickup option

Mississauga, Canada – Walmart Canada is looking to extend its omnichannel grocery experience.

Starting on July 7, customers will be able to place online grocery orders for select product, including fresh food, for pickup in six stores in the Ottawa area. An additional five stores will offer the service starting on July 21. The pickup fee is $3 and customers will be able to order up to 21 days in advance.
Conn’s is on the move through the South

Specialty home goods retailer Conn’s continues to expand outward from its home state of Texas with several recent openings in key markets pushing the company toward its ambitious 2015 growth plan.

Conn’s currently operates 90 stores and earlier this year announced plans for between 15 and 18 new stores. Over the July 4 weekend the company added two store in North Carolina, a 46,000-sq.-ft. store in Charlotte and a slightly smaller 43,000-sq.-ft. store in Gastonia.
RadioShack lives on

Fort Worth, Texas – RadioShack, which came to the brink of disappearing earlier this year, will see its brand continue to live on thanks to new financing.

General Wireless Operations Inc., doing business as RadioShack, has completed new financing totaling $75 million, consisting of a $50 million asset based lending credit facility led by RBC Capital Markets and a $25 million first-in last-out term loan led by Great American Capital Partners.