News

Providing shoppers with a consistent brand experience across channels is retailers’ top digital priority.   That’s according to a survey from Boston Retail Partners (BRP), in which 56% of surveyed retailers said they were focused on a consistent brand experience across channels as a top digital priority, followed by improving the mobile shopping experience (46%) and personalization (40%).     

Walmart gave a lackluster profit outlook for next year, and said it will slow new store openings as it invests in remodels and digital initiatives.

Simplicity is the name of the game for Giant Eagle’s new transportation endeavors.    It’s first step in this quest was to add a new transportation management system — a single platform designed to manage inbound and outbound transportation systems. Processes that were originally controlled by five systems are now streamlined through one core infrastructure. This new consolidated platform is also only piece within a much larger project: building a next-generation supply chain.  

Yesway has named Douglas New as its chief technology officer.   New will be responsible for mapping and implementing the convenience store chain’s technology strategy, including defining the execution plan for Yesway's e-commerce platform. He will also assist in helping the company achieve its goal acquiring 500 stores over the next several years, according to a company statement. He will report to Mark Daniels, the convenience store chain's chief strategy officer.  

Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Justice, and Lane Bryant, announced organizational changes expected to provide cost-savings of $100 million to $150 million by fiscal 2019.   The changes will see a number of executives leave the company, although Ascena did not disclose who would be leave. Also, Brian Lynch, CEO and president of Justice, has been appointed company COO.  

There is a new finance chief at Claire’s Stores.    The retailer has appointed Scott Huckins as its executive VP and CFO, effective Oct. 5. He joins Claire's from Sears Holdings where he served as VP, treasurer and president for Sears Re, (a wholly owned captive reinsurance company) for the last four years. In that role, he had responsibility for global treasury, capital markets, credit, risk management and reinsurance for the company.    

CallisonRTKL is expanding the services it offers to retailers around the world.    The company is adding visual merchandising services to its current lineup of retail services, which include architecture, store planning and design, brand strategy and environmental graphic design.    “Visual Merchandising is more important than ever in the retail environment,” said Ignaz Gorischek, VP, CallisonRTKL, who will lead the visual merchandising team.     

New features give Google Home the boost needed to become a valid shopping assistant.   The device, designed to compete with Amazon’s Echo, was introduced at Google’s I/O event in May. However, new functionality was introduced at Google’s media event in Tuesday, reported Internet Retailer.  

Kohl’s Corp. has joined the ranks of Walmart, Starbucks and other companies to offer its own mobile payments app.    The retailer launched Kohl’s Pay on Wednesday, hoping to speed up checkout in its stores. Using the app, shoppers can integrate their Kohl’s private label credit card and their Yes2You Rewards member number directly in the app’s mobile wallet. The technology also saves earned Kohl’s Cash and Yes2You Rewards.