News

CVS Health to open 'health 'innovation' lab
CVS Health has confirmed a report that it is planning to open a CVS Health Digital Innovation Lab this winter in Boston that will focus on “building customer-centric experiences in health care.”
Survey: 2 in 3 holiday shoppers exceed budget
Bellevue, Wash. –- Two in three (66%) consumers purchasing holiday gifts exceeds their budget, typically by $116. According to a new survey of U.S. consumers from Coinstar, this figure rises to 78% of holiday shoppers with children. Seventy-four percent of holiday shoppers will cut back on indulgences to help afford seasonal gifts. Popular areas to reduce spending among these shoppers include eating out (53%) and entertainment (52%).

Sears seeks fit with 'Reserve It' service

Just in time for the peak holiday shopping season, Sears is introducing "Reserve It" – a free service that lets Shop Your Way members pick out apparel and footwear in stock at their local Sears, put the items on hold, and then try them on once they arrive at the store.
Simon: 4 in 5 consumers begin holiday shopping before Thanksgiving

Indianapolis -- Nearly four-fifths of holiday shoppers (79%) begin their holiday shopping prior to Thanksgiving weekend. According to new data from Simon, Millennials are significantly more likely than all other generations to plan to shop on Black Friday (67%) and Christmas Eve (20%) this holiday season. Other notable findings include:
Mobile mindset evident at Target

New functionality such as interactive maps, enhanced list-making and search capabilities are designed to make it easier than ever to shop Target.

Working with shopper engagement solutions provider Point Inside, Target has upgraded its mobile capabilities ahead of a holiday season in which shoppers will be more digitally engaged than ever.
Dayton Mall to introduce Artec Group Shapify Booth

Dayton, Ohio -- The Dayton Mall is launching the Shapify Booth, a 3D full body scanner from Artec Group, on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in the mall’s center court. The booth takes a full scan of a person in 12 seconds, which is then 3D printed to create a full-color figurine called a “Shapie.”
Build-A-Bear offers holiday app

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. is offering an exclusive holiday app, “Santa's Merry Mission.” On the Team Santa site, children can take a personality quiz to determine which of the eight reindeer is their favorite, and then follow the steps to create their own plush toy.
Urban Outfitters misses on Q3 profit, same-store sales

Philadelphia –- Urban Outfitters missed Wall Street expectations for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 with a larger-than-predicted 33% decline in net income to $47.14 million from $70.26 million in the same period a year earlier. In addition, same-store sales fell 1% compared to expectations of flat results.
Boston Pizza selects Paytronix for loyalty program

Richmond, Canada –- Canadian casual dining chain Boston Pizza has selected the Paytronix Rewards platform as the foundation for its new Boston Pizza MyBP Program. Boston Pizza selected Paytronix because of its expertise in casual dining and integration with both the POSitouch point of sale system and the ONOSYS online ordering system.
‘Toys’ executive to lead Brookstone

A Toys“R”Us executive will take over the top post at Brookstone, the product development company and specialty retailer that emerged from bankruptcy this year after being bought by a group of Chinese investors.

“We were impressed by Tom's success at rejuvenating businesses and by his broad and deep achievements as a senior executive in the retail industry,” Piau Phang Foo, chairman of the board of directors, said. “He has demonstrated success at driving innovation and growth globally."