News

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Integrating Your Omnichannel Marketing Strategy
By Ben Kaplan, CashStar It is clear that mobile has an essential role in omnichannel retail, serving as the bridge between in-store and online with shoppers using their devices for product research both in and out of the store, to store and manage points, coupons and gift cards, and increasingly, to make purchases.
Report: Amazon uses Facebook feedback to rate holiday toys
Seattle –- Amazon.com is reportedly using feedback collected from its “Amazon Moms” Facebook group and other corporate Facebook pages to help create promotional lists of holiday toys.

Deloitte forecasts a happy holiday, with 9% increase in spending on gifts

New York -- Shoppers plan to spend more during the upcoming holiday season with omnichannel shoppers having even higher spending expectations. According to Deloitte’s 29th annual holiday survey, total holiday spending is predicted to increase by 13% to $1,299 per household, including gifts, socializing away from home, entertaining at home, non-gift clothing for family or self, home/holiday furnishings, and any other holiday-related spending not in the other categories.
Survey: U.S., U.K., Germany most desirable global e-shopping destinations

Stamford, Conn. -- The U.S., U.K. and Germany are the most desirable e-destinations for consumers to purchase goods online outside their own country. According to new global online research from Pitney Bowes Inc., Australians are the most likely to buy products online from retailers outside their own country (63%) followed by Canada and Russia (both 54%).
Office Depot makes gift giving easier

Office Depot, Inc. is continuing its holiday initiatives. The merchant, formed by the merger of Office Depot and OfficeMax, has announced its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign being kicked off across all store locations and online on Nov. 2.

To address the volume of early shoppers, Office Depot and OfficeMax will unveil exclusive daily and weekly product deals from its most popular shopping categories including technology, printers, and furniture alongside other business and home office supplies.
Office Depot offers ‘Your Holiday Workshop’ campaign Nov. 2

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. launches its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign across all store locations and online on Nov. 2. “Your Holiday Workshop” efforts will include early Black Friday and “Every Monday is Cyber Monday” deals, and shopper services.
Kohl’s lowers outlook as e-comm advances

Weaker than expected third quarter sales prompted Kohl’s to lower its profit forecast while noting that e-commerce sales increase 30%.

The company held an investor conference on Oct. 29 and said third quarter sales were expected to decline 1.4% due to softer than expected sales during October. The top line weakness caused the company to confirm that profits would be at the lower end of a previously forecast range of $4.05 to $4.45 a share.
Deliv expands

Menlo Park, Calif. – Deliv is expanding its same-day delivery service ahead of the holiday season, doubling its footprint with the addition of four new geographies, including Seattle, Houston, northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The company partners directly with retailers to add the Deliv same-day delivery option into the retailer's checkout process, whether on their website, mobile app or in their physical store.
Commentary: Halloween's impact on shopping center and retail industry

By Mike Kercheval, President and CEO, International Council of Shopping Centers
Retail vet to lead IKEA Canada

IKEA has appointed Stefan Sjöstrand president of its Canadian organization after he has previously served as SVP, IKEA France.

With this move Sjöstrand is bringing global insights gathered from many years of working with IKEA to the Canadian market, as well as a proven track record of achieving business success through people development, according to the company.