News

Retail innovation cycles last approximately 20 years. As we take a look at retail history, this cycle becomes self-evident. From the general store to department stores to discount stores and so forth, each variety has their day in the sun as the leading channel for most purchases. Today, we’re lucky enough to be living within two powerful cycles simultaneously. But the fun will soon come to an end.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to a regional news reports.

According to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million square feet.

 The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW ORLEANS — InsideView, a provider of customer intelligence, announced that one year after introducing a multi-faceted partnership with Microsoft to integrate InsideView's curated content into Microsoft Dynamics CRM, demand for the joint solution has exceeded expectations, and has provided an opportunity for Microsoft Dynamics channel partners to bring additional value to their CRM customers.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN has partnered with HGTV to launch HGTV Home Outdoor Living, only at HSN. Launching across HSN and HGTV's multiple platforms on March 19, HGTV Home Outdoor Living will redefine the outdoor living retail landscape with top HGTV experts appearing on HSN, including Designer John Gidding, star of Curb Appeal.  The HGTV experts will offer advice and showcase an assortment of high-quality, HGTV-curated, outdoor products, including exclusive HGTV Home branded items. 

NEW YORK — The Jones Group has named Greg Clark to the position of chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Clark will report to Stefani Greenfield, chief creative officer, and will oversee global marketing and brand identity for the company's portfolio of fashion brands.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has announced the third installment of The Sam's Club National BBQ Tour, the largest continuous barbecue competition in the United States, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). As the official supplier of KCBS, Sam's Club is the 'choice' destination for the highest quality meats and ingredients for backyard grillers, restaurateurs and more than 750 professional teams who will compete in the 2013 Sam's Club National BBQ Tour.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Sears Holdings with a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This year, Sears Holdings is being awarded for both its role as a retailer of Energy Star certified products and for energy management in its stores. Sears Holdings' accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the National Retail Federation said that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – with is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.