News

HGTV redesigns e-commerce site
New York -- Home/lifestyle brand has redesigned its HGTV.com e-commerce site. The new site includes a curated photo library, revamped show and talent profile pages for the HGTV cable network, and a collection of content channels including content from HGTV television shows. HGTV is allowing consumers to directly interact with its TV series and stars via social media.
Bacchi named chief information officer at Choice Logistics
Robert Bacchi, Choice Logistics’ SVP of information systems has been named the company’s EVP and chief information officer. Bacchi will continue to report to Michael Katz, CEO of Choice.

Survey: Shoppers using mobile devices in stores to reseach, compare prices
ADM promotes its president to CEO

Archer Daniels Midland Company has appointed Juan R. Luciano the next CEO and also has elected him to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Luciano previously served as company’s president and COO responsible for leading and running the company’s global operations.

Luciano succeeds Patricia Woertz, who will continue in the role of ADM’s chairman of the board and is expected to retire in May 2016.
Tensator study: Retailers need to improve in-store experience

Bay Shore, N.Y. -- Consumers are growing disenchanted by the physical shopping experience, with 63% admitting they prefer to shop online, according to a study by Tensator Group. Eighty-percent of shoppers have used a store to view a product before purchasing online, the report found. And 68% admitted to using their phone to check the price of an item online before deciding whether to purchase in-store.
IBM predicts record mobile holiday sales

IBM is forecasting a record holiday season heavily influenced by digital sales. IBM research based on digital analytics predicts a total online sales increase of more than 15% over a 5-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday.

The biggest increase in online sales is expected on Cyber Monday with a predicted 15.8% increase over the last year, followed closely by Thanksgiving with an increase of 15.6%
Study: Shrink costs U.S. retailers $42 billion; employee theft tops shoplifting

Thorofare, N.J. -- Shrink—including shoplifting, employee or supplier fraud and administrative errors—cost the global retail industry more than $128 billion last year, with $42 billion lost in the United States alone, according to the latest Global Retail Theft Barometer study. This represents 1.29% of retail sales, on average.
Whole Foods healthier than thought

The nation’s leading natural and organic grocer proved its doubters wrong with a better than expected fourth quarter earnings report, a rosy outlook for the coming year and dedication to a long-term growth strategy.
Shop Your Way launches health resource

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Shop Your Way, the loyalty program and social shopping community offered to Sears and Kmart customers, is launching a new health and wellness online resource called Shop Your Way Health.
Target names GM exec to new role

Jacqueline Hourigan Rice will join Target Dec. 1 as the retailer’s SVP of risk and compliance after holding a similar role at General Motors.

In her new role Rice will assume some responsibilities previously held by Ann Scovil who retired in March as vp of assurance, risk and compliance. Rice will also have responsibility for corporate security and Target’s suppliers. She will report directly to Target CEO Brian Cornell who joined the company in August.