News

Norred gains new CPG and retail responsibilities
CROSSMARK veteran Jim Norred was named president of the sales and marketing services company’s Marketing Solutions Group.

Norred most recently served as EVP of corporate development with responsibility for client services, business development, insights and corporate marketing. Prior to that, he served as the company’s CIO. He also has served as president of G2, an integrated marketing joint venture that ultimately was acquired by WPP in 2008.
Wal-Mart launches omnichannel Cyber Week promotion Nov. 29
San Bruno, Calif. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is offering 500 online deals during Cyber Week, starting Saturday, Nov. 29, more than double the number of cyber deals it offered last year. Every day through Friday, Dec. 5, Walmart.com will offer 500 discount items, with the best deals arriving on Cyber Monday, Dec. 1.

Gordmans names new head merchant

Lisa Evans has joined Gordmans Stores as EVP and chief merchandising officer as the apparel and home décor retailer looks to restore growth following another disappointing quarter.

Evans appointment to the head merchant role at the 98 store chain was announced in conjunction with third quarter results that saw same store sales decline 7.8% on top of a prior year decline of 6.1%. Net sales declined 3.1% to $146.7 million. The company reported a net loss of $1.9 million, or 10 cents a share, compared to a prior year profit of $1.1 million, or 6 cents a share.
Survey: Consumer electronics hot item this holiday, with Amazon and Walmart top destinations

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - It’s going to be a very good holiday for consumer electronics purchases, according to a survey by IHS Inc., with seven out of 10 U.S. consumers (68%) planning to buy consumer electronics during the 2014 holiday season.
Assassin’s Creed kills Q3 comps at GameStop

Increased digital integration at GameStop is driving engagement with customers, but the delayed launch of a popular video game negatively impacted third quarter sales and made it hard for management to accurately forecast holiday sales.

The launch of Assassins Creed Unity got pushed back from a planned October launch and that proved a huge headwind for GamesStop which reported a 2.3% decline in same store sales for the quarter ended Nov. 1. Total sales for the company declined 0.7% to $2.11 billion.
And the 10 biggest myths of holiday spending are….

New Canaan, Conn. - Count on Customer Growth Partners president and CEO Craig Johnson to provide a refreshing break from the standard Black Friday forecast. Here’s his take on the top 10 retail-related holiday myths of 2014:
X Team International reports $746 million in 3Q transactional volume

Boston - X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors with expertise in more than 45 major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, released third quarter transactional volumes totaling $746 million, bringing its year-to-date transactional volume to more than $2.24 billion.
Analysis: Retail Forecast 2015

By Phillip M. Perry New York - Blue skies and cool breezes. That’s the economic forecast as the calendar turns for a new year. Retailers looking to bolster revenues and profits over the next 12 months should benefit from a gradual improvement in the ability and willingness of shoppers to spend.
Walmart lights the way on solar energy

Walmart is fulfilling its promise earlier this year to make a big investment in solar energy: The retailer has accepted bids from SunEdison and SolarCity to install as many as 400 new solar systems on its facilities over the next four years.
Gap misses in Q3; details omnichannel moves

San Francisco – Gap Inc. failed to meet Wall Street expectations for net income and revenue in its third quartet as its namesake brand continues to struggle. The retailer cut its annual forecast as sales at its namesake brand continue to fall, Gap’s net income rose 11% to $351 million from $337 million, helped by lower cost of goods sold and taxes.