News

Study: Shoppers feel good about Whole Foods' acquisition
Consumers are feeling so positive about Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods Market that more plan to shop there in the future. This was according to the “Amazon Shopper Sentiment Report” from ChargeItSpot. The study collected responses from over 900 shoppers at malls across the country, using its integrated survey capability, QuickPoll.
Deloitte: Back-to-school shopping trends include early start, shift to mass merchants
Retailers who wait until late summer this year to launch back-to-school deals are only hurting themselves, because early shoppers will spend more than late starters. That's according to Deloitte's "2017 Back-to-School Survey," which also detected a big shift in where back-to-school will be shopping this year. One thing that hasn't changed: In-store still prevails.

Aldi veteran joins executive team of Kroger's value format

The Kroger Co. has named a veteran of discount grocer Aldi to Kroger's own low-cost division. Kroger on Wednesday appointed Liz Ferneding as president of Ruler, effective July 31. She succeeds Paul Bowen, who retired in May.
Prime Day knocks it out of the park — and not just with record sales

Amazon’s third annual Prime Day was its biggest shopping event yet — and the biggest day in its history for signing up new Prime members.
Analysis: Prime Day a success in the eyes of consumers

Amazon's third annual shopping event was a success in the eyes of consumers this year, according to InfoScout and Market Track’s survey of shoppers on Prime Day.
Penney starts search for a new CFO

J.C. Penney's finance head of three years is leaving to "pursue other interests." Edward Record stepped down as CFO of Penney effective July 11, according to a regulatory filing. He will remain in an advisory capacity with the company until Aug. 7. Andrew Drexler, Penney's senior VP and chief accounting officer and controller, will serve as interim CFO while the retailer searches looks for Record's replacement.
Survey: Target, Walmart tops with these shoppers

Amazon hasn't make it to the head of the class for this year's back-to-school shopping season. Among young U.S. shoppers (ages 18-24), 64% said they will buy back-to-school items from Target and Walmart, respectively, edging out Amazon (50%). This is according to a new consumer survey from the retail app platform, Branding Brand.
Dunkin' Brands veteran to head up marketing at sporting goods giant

Dick's Sporting Goods has tapped a digital expert as its top marketer. Dick's on Tuesday named Scott Hudler as senior VP – chief marketing officer, responsible for the company's overall marketing and consumer engagement strategy and implementation. He succeeds Lauren Hobart, who was promoted to president of Dick's in May.
Report: Back-to-school shopping grows less predictable

Even back-to-school shopping is not what it once was. U.S. students may still go back to school around the same general time each year, but the timing of BTS shopping has changed in recent years, becoming less consistent and less predictable. That's according to the Back-to-School report from The NPD Group, which finds that BTS shopping is starting earlier and lasting longer.
Beauty retailer delivers AI-based 'lip service'

Estée Lauder is making it even easier for online customers to choose — and purchase — their next tube of lipstick. Through its partnership with ModiFace, the beauty retailer launched a chatbot that helps customers find their ideal lipstick color. The conversational lipstick "advisor," which is accessible on Facebook Messenger, enables online and mobile users to interact with two of Estée Lauder’s lipstick lines.
Study: Retailers should incentivize use of BOPIS drive store traffic

Shoppers are buying more goods than ever online, but they also are increasingly picking the items up at — and returning them to — brick-and-mortar store.
America's favorite home improvement retailer is...

A smaller-format, neighborhood-oriented retailer beat out big-box competitors to rank as the nation's favorite home improvement retailer in a just-released study. Ace Hardware, known for its neighborly service and an intense focus on the customer experience, earned the top spot, with a composite loyalty score of 63%, in a study by Market Force Information.