News

Analysis: The Gap, Art Peck, and store closures
Retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle has posted an interesting blog on Gap Inc.’s ongoing efforts to turnaround its troubled namesake brand. Here is the full posting:
Shopular adds product, curation functionality
Redwood City, Calif. – The Shopular mobile shopping app is rolling out two platform upgrades -- Shopular Products and Shopular Curated Content. Shopular, available for free download from iTunes and Google Play, geo-targets consumers with time- and location-sensitive deal alerts and savings from their preferred merchants from more than 40,000 retail locations across the U.S.

Room & Board aligns stores, online with Salesforce

Minneapolis – Furniture retailer Room & Board has aligned its online and in-store customer experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s predictive digital marketing capabilities. Room & Board has improved the customer experience and delivered more relevant information, which in turn has increased the average order value by 16% and delivered a 2,900% ROI payback during a two-month period.

This has resulted in a significant increase in online sales and improved loyalty.
Sam's Club launches a 'shocking' way to save

As competition for online sales becomes ever more aggressive, Sam’s Club has unveiled a "shocking" new promotion to attract shoppers to its website.

The retailer is launching a program called Shocking Values, which will offer daily deals at SamsClub.com with up to 60% off regular retail prices on brands consumers know and love.
Saatchi & Saatchi makes executive moves

Los Angeles – Creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi is making three key executive changes. Julie Michael has been named president of Team One, Saatchi & Saatchi's fully integrated premium, luxury and aspirational brand agency, effective Aug. 1.
Report: Amazon enhances online reviews with machine learning

Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly using a proprietary machine learning solution to analyze online customer reviews and present newer and more relevant reviews first. According to CNet, the system takes into account factors such as newness, whether the review was written by a verified Amazon purchaser and how many customers found the review helpful.
Staples gets shoppers ready for back-to-school

Staples is getting an early start on back-to-school season with the debut of new products and promotions.

The retailer wants to help parents get their kids ready for the new school year with the hottest trends ranging from the latest graphic or camouflage patterns in new colors, to products that provide a life-changing impact or exclusive products that were designed with the help of students.
Amazon makes Echo AI voice device widely available

Seattle – Amazon.com is releasing its Echo voice-activated artificial intelligence device for general availability in July, and taking consumer orders now. Echo was made available on an invitation basis to customers who wanted to help shape the device in November 2014.
Mondelez continues Facebook e-commerce partnership

Deerfield, Ill. - Mondelez International has renewed its global strategic partnership with Facebook, with a focus on creating and delivering creative video content and driving impulse snack purchasing online. Through this partnership, the companies will work together to leverage and innovate around video consumption and mobile commerce.
NRF recognizes retail’s top cops

The National Retail Federation is recognizing the nation's top law enforcement officers with the organization's annual loss prevention awards.

Recipients of the Ring of Excellence, Law Enforcement Retail Partnership and Retail Case of the Year will be honored during an awards ceremony at NRF PROTECT, the retail industry’s largest event for retail loss prevention executives in North America.