News

Tough going for three specialty retailers
L Brands, The Cato Corp., and The Buckle reported decreases in same-store sales, although one still managed to sound an upbeat note about its second quarter.
Commentary: Is Obama still President?
There is an endless list of adjectives to describe the first six-months of the Trump administration. But one modifier is both accurate and acceptable — and that word is unpredictable. For context, the first six months of the Obama and Bush administrations were fairly predictable. Both embarked on a legislative agenda that looked and felt a lot like their campaign platforms and while the legislative process for both was rocky, we knew what we were in for. Not so much this time around.

Target retail tech accelerator alum makes good

One of the retail tech start-ups from the inaugural class of the Target + Techstars retail accelerator program is expanding.
Golf superstore retailer continues to expand

PGA Tour Superstore is betting on Las Vegas. The retailer has signed a lease to open its first store in the Las Vegas market, a 30,000-sq.-ft. space in downtown Summerlin. The location, expected to open later this year, is the company's 31st store. It will be staffed with PGA teaching professionals, have five state-of-the-art swing simulators, multiple practice hitting bays, an expansive putting green and a junior putting green along with an in-house club-making and repair facility.
Bed, Bath & Beyond in workforce reduction

The ax has fallen at Bed, Bath & Beyond as part of the realignment of its .store management structure. The retailer said it has initiated in approximately half of its U.S. Bed Bath & Beyond stores and about a dozen of its buybuy Baby stores a limited realignment of its store management organization that will result in the elimination of about 880 department and assistant store manager positions.
Amazon’s shoe business outpacing brick-and-mortar competitors

Amazon’s investments in the shoe business are paying off. While 2017 is not even close to over, it is shaping up to being a strong year for shoes on Amazon. The company has already experienced 18% growth year-over-year during the first two quarters, alone. For 2016, Amazon had a total of 35% year-over-year growth, according to a study by One Click Retail.
Chain Store Age announces SPECS/2018 Advisory Board, new marketing

Chain Store Age announced the selection of the Advisory Board for SPECS/2018, the annual retail event produced by CSA and attended by retail and food-service executives who plan, design, build, and maintain stores and restaurants nationwide. Now in its 54th year, SPECS will host its 2018 conference in Dallas, at the Gaylord Texan, March 18-20. The event will focus on what’s next, and what is shaping the future of physical retail.
Regional furniture retailer modernizes front-end

City Furniture sales associates are moving away from the cashwrap, and completing transactions directly on the show floor.
Saks to honor 80-year-old film icon (and her seven pals) for the holidays

Saks Fifth Avenue is partnering with Disney to celebrate the holidays. Saks' annual holiday window display at its New York City flagship on Fifth Avenue will be devoted to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The collaboration with Disney also includes special Disney-inspired fashion, accessories and giftable items created by premier designers and available across Saks' 41 stores in the U.S. and Canada, and Saks.com.
Specialty retailer strikes upbeat note

Party City topped earnings estimates for its second quarter and said it is on track to deliver its full year total revenue and earnings guidance. The party supplies retailer and wholesaler reported net income of $25.0 million in the quarter, compared to $22.5 million in the year-ago period. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 28 cents per share, topping Wall Street expectations
More California Walmart stores add curbside grocery pickup

Walmart’s grocery pickup service is available to even more shoppers in the Golden State. The discounter introduced grocery pickup in 26 stores across Inland Empire, Los Angeles and San Diego, bringing the total number of stores statewide offering the service to 36 locations, according to The Orange County Register. Each store will designate parking stalls for shoppers to retrieve their groceries.
Now Trending: Eight clicks-to-bricks retailers to keep an eye on

Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space: Away