News

Report: Super Bowl pays off for online grocers
Not only was the 2017 Super Bowl a game for the record books, it also drove shoppers to their favorite e-grocers to prep for the big game. As time-pressed Americans football fans shopped with online grocers for game day necessities, they spent more than $150.18 per order — just a few cents more than the average cart size of all goods purchased on Black Friday, which was $149.68.
Footwear retailer embarks on supply chain transformation
To keep up the pace of its growth — and continue delivering merchandise to the right location at the right time — The Aldo Group is adding a new supply chain platform. The footwear brand operates a complex omnichannel supply chain that supports wholesale customers, franchise and company-owned retail locations, as well as its direct-to-consumer operations. This requires enterprise-wide visibility, as well as the flexibility to anticipate, plan for and respond to changing consumer preferences.

Pay with Amazon volume nearly doubled in 2016

More customers are making digital payments through Pay with Amazon. In 2016, more than 33 million customers have used Amazon Payments to make a purchase, according to the retailer.
North Face exec joins Wolverine

Wolverine World Wide announced the appointment of Todd Spaletto as president of the Wolverine outdoor and lifestyle group. Spaletto will lead the growth of the Merrell, Chaco, CAT, Hush Puppies, and Sebago brands around the world. He brings 23 years of experience in branded apparel and footwear, and most recently served as president of The North Face, where he led the growth of this industry-leading global brand for six years.
Gap surprises in January

Gap Inc. reported higher than expected sales for January and the fourth quarter, fueled by strong increases at Old Navy. The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period ended January 28, 2017 increased 2% to $828 million. Total same-store sales for the month rose 1%, led by a 3% gain in the namesake brand and a 2% increase at Old Navy. The ailing Banana Republic continued to slump, with a 4% decrease.
Parent of discount chain and sports brand files Chapter 11 — again

Eastern Outfitters, the parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million in its filing British sporting goods retailer Sports Direct International has engaged in extensive talks with Eastern Outfitters to become a stalking-horse bidder in a bankruptcy auction, Reuters reported.
Apple to double size of Fifth Avenue flagship

Apple is going really big in Manhattan. The retailer is expanding its flagship at the General Motors building on Fifth Avenue from its current 32,000-sq.-ft. to over 77,000 sq. ft. The Apple space is renowned for the glass cube located on the street level. While the store is undergoing the expansion, Apple has temporarily moved into a space in the building that was formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz.
Analysis: Amazon Q4 — Prime is the big story

While it missed some analysts’ aggressive $44.7 billion quarterly revenue estimate, Amazon continues to record solid growth. Fourth-quarter sales were up 22% year over year to $43.7 billion. The retailer also maintained profitability throughout 2016, indicating that the flywheel continues to accelerate, especially in North America.
Why controversy is good for Starbucks

Starbucks Corp.’s plan to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years (in its stores in 75 countries around the globe) has proved to be one of the socially progressive retailer’s most controversial moves to date. The initiative, a response to President Trump’s executive order barring refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, has many conservatives and Trump supporters calling for a boycott of the coffee chain.
Dick’s Sporting Goods to take former Sears space at Capital City Mall

Dick’s Sporting Goods will be relocating one of its stores in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, metro to space formerly inhabited by Sears at PREIT’s Capital City Mall.
Abercrombie set to unveil new, more ‘inclusive’ store prototype

For the first time in more than 15 years, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a new store format for its namesake banner.
U.K. retailer set to acquire Nasty Gal

After all was said and done, the formerly high-flying and now bankrupt Nasty Gal had only one suitor. Online British fashion retailer Boohoo moved a step closer to acquiring the Los Angeles-based fashion brand after no other qualifying bidders came forward.