News

PayPal latest initiative is out of this world
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — When one thinks of space exploration and space travel, Paypal is hardly the first thing that comes to mind. But the eBay company is spearheading an initiative that is paving the way for space commerce.

With the help of the SETI Institute and the Space Tourism Society, PayPal Galactic aims to make universal space payments a reality. Paypal president David Marcus was joined by astronaut and author Buzz Aldrin to announce the initiative’s launch.
Affordable Care Act: Labor Strategies
Workforce management tools can help with compliance, control costs
As an industry with one of the largest populations of part-time workers, retail stands to be hit the hardest by the changes required by the Affordable Care Act. Yet as retailers start planning, many of them simply don't know how to comply, and what the long-term effects will be. Unfortunately, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, and employers will have to carefully select a strategy that is right for them.

Omnichannel: It's Not Just for the Front End Anymore

Upon hearing the phrase "omnichannel," most retailers probably envision reaching out to customers across front-end touchpoints, such as store, PC, mobile device and social media. But fulfilling customer needs across those touchpoints does not occur in a vacuum. Tamara J.
Homeland Stores introduces smartphone app

Oklahoma City – Homeland Stores, a regional grocery retailer operating under several banners including Homeland, United, Country Mart, Super Save and Super Plaza, is partnering with mobile payment technology provider DoubleBeam to introduce new iPhone and Android mobile applications that enable customers to pay for purchases via smartphone.
Guns and ammo demand drives sporting goods sales at Walmart too

Americans' affinity for guns and ammunitions — especially among those anxious about a perceived diminishment of ownership rights — was on display this week as Smith & Wesson Holdings reported record sales and profits.
Serving up Savings

Arby's identifies more than $5.5 million in potential savings for energy program
Arby's Restaurant Group has taken an aggressive stance with regard to its third largest and most controllable expense: energy. Faced with rising costs, the chain developed a strategic energy management plan that identified more than $5.5 million in potential annual savings.
Reaching Out

Dramatic growth and purchasing power of U.S. Latino population demands retailer attention
Parting with Paula is a bittersweet affair for Walmart

Paula Deen fell from grace this week faster than a slab of butter melting in one of her opening price point pans Walmart no longer sells.

Walmart, as well as Home Depot, Target and Smithfield Foods, sought to distance themselves from Deen after racist comments she made during a deposition came to light and she was canned by the Food Network.
Walmart Express format entering a crowded field

Expectations are high that Walmart will accelerate expansion of its small format Express stores when 2014 capital expansion plans are announced this fall. If that’s the case, the company will be entering a crowded landscape.

Already, Dollar General, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores operate upwards of 20,000 units with considerable overlap. Now, new data out this week shows the number of units operated by traditional convenience store retailers, especially the well-capitalized operators of larger format C-stores, continues to grow.
Peaking at the Right Time

Randy Dewitt
CEO,
Front Burner Restaurants
HEADQUARTERS: Addison, Texas
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Casual-dining (Twin Peaks)
NUMBER OF UNITS: 36 Twin Peaks restaurants in 16 states