News

Retail CIOs: Managing data security top priority in 2015, followed by omnichannel
Washington, D.C. - Retail CIOs agree that security and digital innovation are top priorities for 2015, according to a new report by the NRF and Forrester Research.

The study, the Retail CIO Agenda 2015: Secure and Innovate, finds that managing data security is the most urgent focus area for retail CIOs, with 97% of respondents placing it at the top of their 2015 priority lists.
Ikea ready to build its new Midwest hub
Ikea is moving ahead with its strategy to expand its footprint in the Midwest by finalizing plans on a massive new distribution center in Illinois.

The retailer has submitted final plans to the City of Joliet, Ill., that would advance the development of its previously approved main Midwestern distribution center.

Report: Topshop teams with Twitter for London Fashion Week

London – U.K.-based fashion retailer Topshop is teaming up with Twitter for an omnichannel promotion tied to London Fashion Week. Starting Friday, Feb. 20, the first day of London Fashion Week, Topshop will be analyzing Twitter trends to determine the real-time buzz around apparel and accessories being displayed on Fashion Week runways.
Kmart re-branding some stores as K-Fresh

While Kmart has been closing many of its stores as it seeks to restructure the company, the retailer has quietly launched a pilot program to re-brand itself as K-Fresh.

The Chillicothe Gazette reports that the Kmart on North Bridge Street in Chillicothe, Ohio, has scaled back its hours and grocery offerings in preparation for its switch from a 24-hour supercenter to the retail chain's new K-Fresh concept.
Build-A-Bear Workshop Q4 profit surges

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop reported $11.8 million profit for the fourth quarter, more than double the $5.4 million profit it reported in the year ago period, amid continuing signs of a turnaround. The company’s performance driven by strong sales of licensed characters, including a line of “Frozen” stuffed animals.

Revenue totaled $131.5 million for the quarter, up from $108.1 million last year.
Wal-Mart's Q4 results overshadowed by employee pay hike

Bentonville, Ark. -- Increased traffic and better than expected same-store sales growth at Walmart’s U.S. stores were bright spots in the retailer’s fourth quarter earnings. But the big story in Thursday’s earnings release was the announcement that approximately 500,000 full-time and part-time associates at Walmart U.S. stores and Sam's Clubs will receive pay raises in the first half of the current fiscal year.
McMillon talks big changes at Walmart

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon talks about changes at Walmart.
Price Chopper selects Agilence Retail 20/20 exception reporting

Schenectady, N.Y. – Price Chopper Supermarkets will deploy Retail 20/20 exception-based reporting to replace its legacy exception reporting application. Price Chopper, which operates grocery stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, selected Retail 20/20 for its advanced reporting engine and intuitive interface.
Hy-Vee does demos with Interactions

Leading regional supermarket operator Hy-Vee is expanding its relationship with Interactions to provide experiential marketing services.

Interactions says it will engage shoppers through experiential marketing events in 50 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, with plans to expand to more than 145 stores throughout the year. In addition to planned event services, Interactions will also collaborate with Hy-Vee to develop additional experiential marketing activities, such as new store openings, community events and Hy-Vee branded programs.
Retail sales to reach $4.9 trillion in 2015

New York - Retail sales in the U.S. will reach $4.87 trillion for the full year 2015. According to EMarketer analysis, this represents a 4% increase from 2014.

U.S. retail e-commerce sales will total approximately $350 billion in 2015, up 14% from $305.7 billion the prior year. Despite rapid growth, retail ecommerce will still account for just 7% of total retail sales in the U.S. during the current year, EMarketer estimates.