News

Westfield in partnership with Uber
Westfield’s billion-dollar renovation of its Century City Mall in Los Angeles will include a swanky Uber Lounge where customers can wait in style for their rides. The shopping center owner has formed a partnership with Uber to facilitate use of shared rides at its centers nationwide. The mall owner will create drop-off and pick-up stations at every one of its U.S. properties, whose locations will be digitally mapped into the Uber app. The idea: make pick-ups and drop-offs easier and build mall traffic.
Retail Revolutionized: Three ways to profit from artificial intelligence
Whether we’re receiving coupons based on our spending, or product suggestions based on other people’s spending, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how consumers shop and experience brands. For retailers, meanwhile, AI could increase profits by almost 60%¹. It could be a game-changer in this labor-intensive sector, augmenting the workforce and enabling employees to become more productive.

Chute Gerdeman acquired

Retail design firm Chute Gerdeman has been acquired by FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding) Chicago, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies. The Columbus, Ohio-based Chute Gerdeman will now align with FCB/RED, the company's retail and shopper marketing division, to deliver full omnichannel retail marketing and connected physical branded experiences.
Dyson to set up shop in the U.S.

The British brand best known for its bagless vacuum cleaners, bladeless fans and, most recently, high-tech hair-dryers is expanding its fledgling retail portfolio. Dyson Ltd. will open a "Dyson Demo" store this fall at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. Also in the works: a store at 640 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and one in San Francisco's Union Square.
Leslie's Poolmart CEO to retire

The chief executive of the nation's largest specialty retailer of swimming pool and spa supplies and related products is stepping down. Leslie's announced that chairman and CEO Lawrence Hayward will be retiring and transitioning from his role as CEO, effective September 30, 2017. He will continue to serve as chairman.
Uniqlo creates plan to embark on digital transformation

In a move to attract more specialized information technology specialists, Uniqlo is renovating its digital DNA.
Warehouse club giant tops estimates in August

Costco Wholesale Corp. turned in a strong performance in August, helped by a big increase in online sales. Net sales rose 10% to $9.8 billion for the month of August, from $8.9 billion during the similar period last year. Total same-store sales rose 7.3%, higher than the 6.1% Wall Street expected. Same-store U.S. sales rose 7.4%, easily topping estimates for a 4.9% to 5.3% increase. Costco's comparable e-commerce sales jumped 26% in August.
Home furnishings brand continues global expansion

West Elm brand is expanding in the U.K. The retailer, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its second U.K. location, in the London suburb of Kingston-Upon-Thames in winter 2017. The two-story, 8,000-sq.-ft. store is on the ground floor of Bentalls Shopping Centre. The new location will open with the brand's holiday assortment, along with a signature mix of furniture and accessories, and Fair Trade Certified and handcrafted products.
Amazon uses Whole Foods to bolster its private-label portfolio

Amazon is wasting no time in leveraging its ownership of Whole Foods Market. Amazon Fresh has made “hundreds" of new items from Whole Foods' house brands available online. Merchandise includes fancier fare and bath products from Whole Foods Market, staples from 365 Everyday Value, and pet foods from Whole Paws, according to CNBC.
Chico's misses on Q2 sales and profit; taps beauty exec as Soma president

Chico's FAS' profit and revenue declined in the second quarter amid same-store declines across all its banners. The women's apparel retailer also named Mary van Praag as president of Soma, effective September 5, 2017. She most recently served as CEO of Perricone MD. Prior to that, she held senior executive roles at Coty, and Johnson & Johnson's beauty division.
Amazon positioned to give food and beverage e-commerce a much needed spark

Based on its recent bold expansion into the grocery segment, Amazon is primed to give food and beverage e-commerce a shot of adrenaline. This was according to “U.S. Grocery Market Focus: The Amazon Food Shopper,” a report from Packaged Goods. According to the firm’s estimates, Amazon's 2016 online food and beverages sales, including AmazonFresh, is at $1.5 billion. This volume is expected to rise to $2.3 billion in 2017, giving the company a 19% share of the online market.
Store closings begin at Perfumania

One of the nation's largest fragrance retailers is shrinking its store portfolio. Perfumania has begun store closing sales at 65 stores. The nationwide sale is being conducted by Gordon Brothers and its joint venture partner, Hilco Global.