News

New York City  - No big surprise that Americans are more connected than ever before, but the newest trend is toward “smart homes” as well. New research from Experian Marketing Services has found that nearly a third of all Americans use at least one type of smart or connected device and 14% of homes are now smart homes, employing connected lights, locks, thermostats, or electrical outlets, among others.  

Google could be preparing to take on Amazon.com with its own unique e-commerce solution. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is developing a “buy now” button that would be embedded right into results pages within the search engine.   

Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO, the company said.

Charney was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed to oversee an internal investigation in the wake of Charney's suspension.

New York – Every retailer wants to acquire new customers, but not every retailer knows how to draw them in. According to new retailer and consumer survey data from loyalty intelligence provider Colloquy and sponsored by Chase Merchant Services, 60% of retailers admitted they lack reliable data to support effective targeting of new customers for acquisition purposes.  

Minneapolis – Technology geeks do not have the reputation of being the people you turn to in a crisis, but travelers in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport who experience difficulty with their electronic devices just may find a geek is what they need. Agents from the Best Buy Geek Squad technical service will be available daily now through Dec. 23 in O’Hare’s Terminal 3, Concourse H, with a “Precinct” similar to those found in Best Buy stores.  

Cincinnati - The Kroger Co. has been accepted as an “Elite Member” of Energy Star Certification Nation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Kroger was the only grocery retailer granted Elite Member certification status, which was granted to organizations that earned Energy Star certification for at least 150 buildings in 2014.  

Consumers are doing even more holiday shopping from their desktop computers this year, according to a new report from comScore.

The Internet analytics company reports that U.S. consumer spending from desktop computers for the first 44 days of the November-December 2014 holiday shopping season is up 15% from last year, to $42.5 billion.

By Gary Lee, InReality   As 2014 comes to a close, one thing is clear—traditional retailing is under fire.    Consumers, not brands or retailers, now hold the reigns of power. And, to survive, marketers in brick-and-mortar must take a fresh approach to physical retailing, and carve out a unique value proposition for the in-store experience, one worthy of the consumer’s precious time.