News

New York -- Retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value in the United States for 2013 surpassed $100 billion for the first time since 2008, according to PwC’s US retail and consumer deals insights 2013 Year in Review and 2014 Outlook report. Deals in the food and beverage sector and private equity (PE) investment in the apparel, footwear and accessories sector continued to drive activity in the R&C industry.

Denver -- Junction Solutions announced it will implement Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and JunctionMCR at Eckler Industries, the leading provider of parts and accessories for classic and enthusiast automobiles, to support the retailer’s multichannel growth strategy.
    

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the company behind Keurig brewing technology, and retailer Krispy Kreme announced that the companies have reached an agreement to bring Krispy Kreme signature coffee to K-Cup packs for the Keurig brewing system.

The companies are set to launch Krispy Kreme coffee K-Cups in both Smooth and Decaf by the end of 2014. The packs will be available at Keurig.com and KrispyKreme.com, as well as select Krispy Kreme shops, grocery, retail and away-from-home channels across the United States.

Hudson’s Bay CFO Michael Culhane has resigned his spot following a leave of absence from the company. The news comes two weeks after the company brought in Douglas Scovanner as EVP of finance and accounting on an interim basis to support company president Donald Watros, who assumed the role of acting CFO.

It’s no secret that today’s teens and twenty-somethings have grown up on social media and see it as an extension of their everyday lives. But retailers who think they can just display a bunch of wares on a social media page and attract Millennial shoppers are sadly mistaken. A panel of five exceptionally bright and well-spoken Millennial consumers ages 16-21 (all offspring of prominent retail IT figures) at the recent Retail ROI “Super Saturday” event in New York gave some frank insight into how Millennials view social media.

Sears has launched a new service powered by the chain’s Shop Your Way mobile app that enables customers to pick up their online purchases at any Sears store within five minutes of arrival.

Pittsburgh – Same-store sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. rose 6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, unshifted for the 53rd week in fiscal 2012. The same-store sales results compare to guidance provided in November 2013 for a 2% to 3% increase on an unshifted basis.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. is reportedly considering selling the business. According to Reuters, an anonymous source with inside knowledge said Bebe has hired Guggenheim Securities to help evaluate a possible sale.