News

Nordstrom in deal with fast-growing online apparel start-up
Nordstrom is collaborating with a retailer known for its high-quality, ethically made fashion basics and "radical transparency." The department store retailer's themed pop-up shop concept, Pop-In@Nordstrom, will be dedicated to a collection of products from Everlane. The in-store shop will launch in eight Nordstrom stores on Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 12. Items will also be available online.
Smart Energy Management Trends for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers
Commercial retail is a unique and rapidly changing space. With the rise of online shopping, retailers are creatively adapting to improve the experience of being in a physical store. Strategies like experiential retail make shopping a personalized and engaging experience instead of a simple transaction. Retailers are also providing customers with a more tech-friendly brick-and-mortar shopping experience in response to online competitors – the prevalence of self-serve check-out stations being just one example.

The impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma on retail sales

Hurricanes Harvey and Harvey had a similar impact on retail sales and the toll was significant on online spending as well as spending in physical stores.
Finish Line profit, sales down in Q2

Finish Line missed analysts expectations for its second quarter amid continued heavy promotion in the athletic footwear market. The retailer reported net income of $2.8 million, or 7 cents per share, for the quarter ended Aug. 26, down from $22.1 million, or 53 cents a share, a year ago.
Walmart tests new delivery drop-off point — the customer’s fridge

Walmart’s new grocery delivery program could give it a huge edge in the online ordering game.
Study: Fraud losses, management eat up more than one-fifth of retailer revenue

Merchants’ fraud costs are a growing expense — and the pace shows no sign of slowing. Fraud losses and management eat 8% of the average e-commerce retailer’s revenue, up from 7.6% in 2016, according to “2017 Financial Impact of Fraud Study: Exploring the Financial Impact of Fraud in a Digital World.” The report is from Vesta Corp. and Javelin Strategy & Research.
Fast-casual giant to open its largest location ever — in New York City

Chick-fil-A is going big in the Big Apple with a location that will also include some atypical features for the chain. The company will open its third restaurant in Manhattan, on Fulton Street in the Financial District, in 2018. At more than 12,000 sq. ft., it will be the chain's largest location to date, with five levels, complete with a rooftop terrace for dining. It will feature design elements that have never been featured at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before.
Drugstore chain uses analytics to gain insight into IT performance

Walgreens is relying on data analytics to ensure all of its IT systems are working as efficiently as possible. Through a partnership with IBM, the drugstore chain is taking steps to drive more IT support across its enterprise. The first step is to integrate hardware and software from different vendors under one roof. This centralization will make it easier to stay abreast of performance.
Uniqlo to debut new specialty store concept

Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo is going all out for denim in Los Angeles. The company, part of Fast Retailing Group, will open a special store dedicated to denim in the Arts District of Los Angeles this fall/winter. The new "denim concept" shop will be Uniqlo's 47th location in the U.S., and ninth in the L.A. region following the opening at Westfield Santa Anita mall earlier in September.
Microsoft to plant retail flag in London

Microsoft will open its third flagship location, which will also be the company's first retail store in London. The company announced plans to open a flagship on Regent Street at Oxford Circus. The location, which in the heart of the city's retail district, is just down the road from an Apple flagship.
Amazon is hiring for shoppable interactive video start-up

Amazon is on the hunt for a team to head up its newest business venture. The online giant is launching a new start-up called “Amazon Live.” The division “builds interactive streaming experiences that create new shopping experiences for customers,” according to a posting on Amazon Jobs.
Amazon in big restaurant push

Amazon is upping its restaurant delivery program in a move to add some of the nation's best-known chains to its menu. Olo, a New York-based food delivery service, announced that it is integrating Amazon Restaurants’ delivery service into its ordering platform. The collaboration potentially gives the online giant access to 200 restaurant brands, including Chipotle, Denny’s, Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Jamba Juice, among others.