News

New product introduction volume continues to increase. Lilly Pulitzer’s analytics platform helps hone in on the winners.   In an omnichannel world, customer satisfaction is key, which means merchandise must be available when shoppers want it. By extending its partnership with First Insight, Lilly Pulitzer will continue to use predictive analytics to make faster and more accurate design, buying and pricing decisions, and gain the insight needed to mitigate risks associated with new product introductions.  

Mobile ads and solid user growth across its suite of apps contributed to a strong first quarter for Facebook.   For the quarter ended March 31, revenue rose 49% to $8.03 billion, from $5.38 billion in the same period a year earlier. This surpassed analyst predictions of $7.83 billion. Based on this quarter’s earnings, Facebook has exceeded analyst expectations for eight straight quarters.   

A specialty retailer is taking steps to establish itself as a digitally driven brand.   The Paper Store is extending its partnership with Aptos. The retailer first joined forces with the technology provider when it deployed the Aptos Singular Commerce platform, an end-to-end cloud-based solution, to help support the opening of 50 new stores.    

Despite retailer efforts to deliver information, store employees still struggle to access the information needed to complete tasks. In fact, 75% of decision makers said their employees frequently ask about procedures that are documented, and 73% indicated that critical information is scattered across many disparate locations.

There’s been a couple of change in the C-suite of hand-made goods marketplace Etsy.   The company said chairman and CEO Chad Dickerson is stepping down, to be succeeded as CEO by board member Josh Silverman, effective May 3. Fred Wilson, who has served as lead independent director of the Etsy board, since October 2014, will succeed Dickerson as chairman.  

Two private equity firms are “actively” exploring a buyout of Staples, according to a report by CNBC.   Cerberus Capital Management and Sycamore Partners have emerged as the leading frontrunners pursuing a deal, the report said. While other private equity firms, including Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC, Advent International Corp and Bain Capital LLC, held discussions with the retailer include, they appear to be walked back and are less interested in the deal.  

Monday's May Day demonstrations across the country and world are yet another reminder that we are in a politically precarious position in this country. The intensity of anger within our populace far outweighs the ability of our government mechanisms to address it.  

Facebook is proving social media does in fact influence brick-and-mortar sales.   The social media giant offers a feature that enables users to scan a personalized QR code to nab discounts when they buy something at specific brick-and-mortar locations, reported TechCrunch.    The Rewards feature, which is discretely tucked away under the More tab of Facebook’s mobile app, has been in test mode for a few months, according to the report.  

A men’s grooming shop that provides hand and foot care, haircuts and shaves in a “man cave nirvana” has ambitious designs for expansion.   

The Lone Star state is set to get a big dose of Crayola color.    The iconic brand will open a Crayola Experience at The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, Texas, in spring 2018. This is the fourth location for the attraction, which also has locations in Orlando, Fla., Bloomington, Minn. (at Mall of America), and its hometown of Easton, Pa.