News

Is Visa violating retailers’ “freedom of choice?”   The National Retail Federation, among other retail associations, believe so, claiming that the card issuer is using new Europay MasterCard Visa (EMV) technology to steer debit card transactions to its own processing network. According to the Federal Reserve, this violates merchants’ legal right to competition over who will process the transactions, according to a statement from NRF.  

Abercrombie & Fitch’s efforts to turnaround its struggling namesake brand aren’t finding much traction with shoppers.   The teen apparel brand on Friday said that its profit declined 81% in the third quarter and warned that it expects a challenging holiday season for its namesake banner.     Abercrombie posted net income of $7.88 million, or 12 cents per share, for the quarter ended Oct. 29, down from $41.9 million, or 60 cents per share, in the year-ago period.  

Retailers had better watch out, as ’tis the season for fraud — especially in an age of omnichannel retail.    Omnichannel retailing opens up new avenues for fraudsters — especially during the holidays, according to the “Annual Holiday Fraud Index” from Radial. The study, based on data from hundreds of clients and billions of data elements, reveals Europay, Mastercard, Visa (EMV), cross-border, and digital gift card trends that could put retailers’ bottom lines at risk.  

Consumers are warming up their fingers as they prepare to shop on Cyber Monday.   As more of these shoppers (63%) flock online for Cyber Monday, 54% will use a desktop or laptop. Twenty five percent (25%) of shoppers plan to use a smart phone or tablet, but 21% will use a combination of all of these devices, according to “Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving 2016,” a report from Perk, an engagement platform provider. The study is based on responses from 670 Perk users between Nov. 1-8, 2016.   

The first phase of Fairfield Town Center in northwest Houston is nearing completion and should be fully operational by Black Friday, promises owner Washington Prime Group, formerly WP Glimcher.   Already open and operating at the 600,000-sq.-ft. development are HEB, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Chick-fil-A, and McDonalds, among several others. The fully populated center will include Marshalls/Homegoods, Ulta, Chipotle, and Dress Barn.  

Folks were lined up down the block for the opening of The Lego Group’s largest – and most ambitious – store in the world.  

As shoppers use more devices to shop their favorite brands, it is not surprising that digital shopping will drive retail holiday sales.   This message was delivered in Nielsen's 2016 holiday trend report, which tapped 1,159 adults aged 18 years and older. As of Nov. 11, online shopping was outpacing in-store visits, with 58% of shoppers already purchasing their holiday gifts online compared to 40% that went to big-box retail stores, and 25% who visited department stores.  

While retailers are focused on unified commerce, most retailers’ planning tools are not capable of supporting this digital environment.   This message was revealed in Boston Retail Partners’ “2016 Merchandise Planning Survey,” a report based on responses from more than 500 North American retailers. The report delivers insight into retailers’ planning initiatives, priorities and future trends.   

PetSmart is working with retail and design consultancy Fitch to develop a new store environment.   The test store will open in Highland Ranch, Colorado, in fall 2007, and will bring a fresh, new and engaging customer experience to the pet retail marketplace, PetSmart said.    

J. Crew Group is reportedly considering options for its popular Madewell brand, which it launched in 2006.   According to Reuters, the retailer, which has struggled with slumping sales in its namesake division, is working with investment bank Lazard Ltd. to assess multiple strategic and balance sheet options for Madewell, which operates some 108 stores.