News

H&M posts sales boost, plans 400 stores
A bigger push to sell its offerings online helped drive record sales in 2014 for Swedish retailer Hennes & Mauritz, as well as prompt expansion plans for the retailer.

The Stockholm-based retailer said net profit rose 17% to $760 million in 2014, ahead of analysts’ forecasts. Same store sales increased 26% in 2014, the retailer reported.
NRF: Most retailers plan unified commerce platforms
Washington, D.C. – It may take a while, but most retailers ultimately plan to implement a unified commerce platform. According to a new study of 300 U.S., European and Australian retail business and IT executives conducted by the National Retail Federation, Ecommerce Europe and Ecommerce Foundation in partnership with Demandware, 53% expect to implement a unified commerce platform in the next few years. And during the next 10 years, 86% of retailers surveyed plan to implement a unified commerce platform.

Lowe's to open stores at Targets in Canada?

As Lowe’s prepares to open its previously announced 25 new stores in Canada during the next three years, speculation is mounting that the retailer could snap up some of Target's locations when the company withdraws from the Canadian market later this year. But Lowe's is not saying whether three new Lowe's stores set to open later this year in Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Sault Ste. Mari will be located in former Target locations.
GameStop hosts omnichannel preview for ‘Evolve’

Grapevine, Texas - GameStop will be hosting “Monster Mondays,” a trio of exclusive weekly videos from the perspective of each monster within the video game “Evolve,” creating a platform for fans to share and discuss offensive and defensive strategies. These videos began airing on Jan. 26, and will continue on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 in anticipation of the game’s release Feb. 10.
BCBG expands omnichannel capabilities

As more retailers work to unify their physical and digital capabilities in a more effective way, BCBGMaxazria Group is expanding its omnichannel strategy.

The retailer says it is expanding its relationship with Demandware to advance its omnichannel commerce strategy.
U.K. online retailer boosts sales with Treepodia’s YouTube curation

London – If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then perhaps a video is worth 1,000 sales. U.K. electric appliance retailer ElectricShopping.com has increased unit sales by 37% using Treepodia’s new YouTube Fetcher service.
Dixons supports customer service, labor management with Reflexis

London - Dixons Carphone plc has selected Reflexis workforce management solutions to further enhance its customer service offering and increase employee involvement in labor management processes. The retailer will implement the solutions in its 500 Currys, PC World, and Dixons Travel Stores.

After an 18-month review including live trials with multiple vendors, Dixons selected Reflexis Workforce Manager, Reflexis Time and Attendance, and Reflexis Advanced Analytics and Reporting.
Hungry Howie's Pizza to unveil new digital ordering platform

Houston -- Pizza ordering continues to get easier and easier. Hungry Howie's Pizza has partnered with Revention to create a custom digital online ordering platform, a simple-to-use solution that allows customers to order from any internet capable device, whether desktop, tablet or mobile phone.
FTC okays Safeway-Albertsons merger

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has cleared the merger of supermarket operators Safeway Inc. and Albertsons, creating a larger competitor to rival chain Kroger. But there is one caveat.

The FTC agreed to the deal only after Safeway and Albertsons agreed to sell 168 stores to address the FTC’s competition concerns.
FTC clears Albertsons, Safeway merger

Boise, Idaho -- Albertsons and Safeway announced on Tuesday that they have received clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for the companies' proposed merger, which was announced on March 6, 2014. 

The FTC's clearance follows Albertsons' and Safeway's agreement to a proposed consent order, which includes a commitment to divest 168 stores.