News

Study: Retailers missing the omnichannel mark
Retailers must move quickly to improve their ability to deliver a “seamless retail” experience to customers, according to new research by Accenture released Wednesday.
Retailers are about to find Facebook more friendly
Facebook is aiming to revolutionize the way customers communicate with retailers by re-inventing the customer service platform.

The tech giant is inviting retailers and other companies to develop software that allows customers to communicate instantly with them through Facebook Messenger. Facebook and its partner Zendesk, a customer service platform firm, are teaming up to allow businesses to provide scalable and responsive customer service to the more than 600 million people worldwide who use Messenger.

Retail Not Reaping Full Benefit of Consumers’ Savings at the Pump

By Stephen Metivier, TD Bank
Barnes & Noble tells a social media tale

Barnes & Noble is launching a Twitter giveaway to promote its famous in-store Storytimes.

The bookseller announced that its April lineup of free Storytime events includes a Picture Book of the Month selection, as well as a Twitter giveaway to encourage parents and children to attend.
Revolve connects customer experience dots with OrderDynamics

New York – Online specialty fashion retailer Revolve focuses heavily on customer experience to stay competitive in a tough market. Revolve has selected Dynamic Action, the Big Data and decision intelligence Application from OrderDynamics, to connect the “critical dots” such as: item level exposure, loyal customers’ return rates, competitive pricing and optimal inventory levels.
Cost cuts ahead at Toys “R” Us

A strengthened omnichannel fulfillment model helped slow the pace of sales declines at Toys “R” Us last year and now the retailer is looking to execute the next phases of transformation strategy to restore profitable growth.

The company spelled out details of its strategy on March 25 during an investor conference with presentations from Antonio Urcelay, chairman and CEO, Hank Mullany, president of Toys “R” Us, U.S. and Mike Short, executive vice president and CFO.
Metro Group improves supply chain transparency

Dusseldorf, Germany – Germany-based global retailer Metro Group has partnered with Frequentz, Inc., a provider of end-to-end visibility solutions, to build customer trust through supply chain transparency. Frequentz's track and trace system will provide Metro with the tools it needs to monitor pharmaceuticals, seafood and produce across stores in 31 countries.

Frequentz's system is not solely reliant on GS1 standards but adaptable to all companies regardless of standards deployed, simplifying international traceability.
Perfumania redesigns digital presence

Bellport, N.Y. – Perfumania Holdings is launching a new digital corporate platform. Conceived and built by Ready Set Rocket, the new Perfumania digital corporate presence includes a fully redesigned corporate website.

In addition, Ready Set Rocket set forth a digital strategy for the new Perfumania Holdings digital corporate identity focused on the following core elements:
Leslie's takes plunge with Phoenix prototype

The nation’s largest retailer of swimming pool supplies and equipment continued its march toward 1,000 units this month with five new locations in Florida and a new prototype near its Phoenix headquarters.

The privately held Leslie’s Poolmart chain opened four locations in Jacksonville and one in nearby St. Augustine, bringing its store count in Florida to 90 locations, or 10% of the company’s total store base of roughly 900 locations.
H&M posts 36% profit jump as it plans global expansion

Swedish retailer H&M, which has already made huge waves in the United States, is now eyeing even more global omnichannel expansion.

The company is planning to open 400 new physical stores, a new flagship in New York City’s Herald Square, and at least nine new online stores.

The retailer also reported results for the first quarter ended Feb. 28. H&M reported that net profit climbed 36% to 3.61 billion kronor ($423.2 million), versus a year-ago profit of 2.65 billion kronor ($311.9 million). Analysts were expecting a profit of 3.37 billion kronor.