News

Startup Spotlight: Technologies on the Rise
Personalization continues to be the trend that just won’t go away, probably because it’s the new normal in how consumers want to interact with brands and retailers. Personalized videos hold the promise to surprise and delight (and covert), especially as we collectively spend more and more of our time viewing videos online. And personalized promotions help retailers maximize scarce marketing dollars, ensuring the right customer gets the right call to action at the right time.
Tulsa: Farewell Miss Jackson, hello new era
The recent demolition of the Miss Jackson’s anchor store at Utica Square in Tulsa, a fixture in that town’s retail scene for more than 100 years, was a stark Heartland example of the changing face of retail. But mall owners and managers in Oklahoma’s second-largest city feel poised to enter the new era, according to a report in Tulsa World.

CBL sells two Michigan malls for $66.5 million

CBL & Associates announced it has completed a $66.5 million sale of two malls in Michigan — The Lakes in Muskegon and the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw. The identity of the buyer was not disclosed. CBL president and CEO Stephen Lebovitz said the Michigan sales were part of a long-term plan to move to a portfolio of higher quality, higher-growth portfolios.
Done deal for merger of two supermarket giants

The Federal Trade Commission has given its blessing to a deal that creates the fourth largest supermarket company in the United States. Delhaize Group, owner of Food Lion, and Royal Ahold NV, owner of Stop & Shop, on Sunday completed their $29 billion merger after they received regulatory clearance by the Federal Trade Commission.
Five Things Keeping Retailers Up at Night

That sound of nervous pacing you hear every night at 3 a.m.? It’s America’s retail executives. They’re feeling the pressures of a rapidly evolving sales landscape and trying to figure out how to stay one step ahead — or just keep up. From demanding consumers who expect a bargain at every turn to new technologies, from an aggressive e-commerce marketplace to a U.S. economy that refuses to kick into gear with any consistency, the challenges retailers are facing demand a shift in thinking and strategy.
Unsecured creditors seek quick liquidation of former sporting goods giant

Unsecured creditors of Sports Authority said in court papers that the bankrupt retailer should not waste its dwindling funds preparing a plan to end its Chapter 11. The unsecured creditors argued the company, which filed Chapter 11 in March, is "administratively insolvent," meaning it cannot even pay the cost of running its bankruptcy case, Reuters reported.
Mandese named to direct Gainesville redevelopment

Central Florida developer Butler Enterprises named Joey Mandese its director of development. He will oversee all elements — from design through construction--of the redevelopment of Butler Town Center, a Main Street-style, mixed-use complex going up in Gainesville. Formerly the owner of a construction business in Gainesville, Mandese studied architecture for two years before earning a degree in building construction and the University of Florida.
Amazon looks Southwest for latest facility

Amazon.com is continuing its rapid pace of distribution infrastructure expansion with a planned new center in Houston. The 855,000-sq.-ft. fulfillment center will employ more than 1,000 full-time workers. Employees will pick, pack and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics and toys.
Irish value fashion brand continues U.S. expansion

A brand known for its low, low prices and high volume has opened its fifth U.S. store. Primark has opened at PREIT’s Willow Grove Park Mall in the Philadelphia suburb of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. This is the second Primark location in the Philadelphia region. The store occupies 58,300 sq. ft. of space previously occupied by Sears on the second and third floors of the southwest side of the mall. It features 59 fitting rooms and 47 registers, recharge areas, as well as a fashion "trend room.”
Study: Bigger doesn’t always mean better customer experience

Forrester Research has identified the retailers with the most and least satisfactory experience, and a very prominent name scored poorly.
Retailer debuts U.S. consumer drone delivery – and it’s not Amazon

The first fully autonomous drone delivery to a customer home has occurred, and the retailer behind it is not who you would expect. Leading convenience chain 7-Eleven partnered with independent drone delivery service Flirtey and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) to complete two deliveries from a store in Reno, Nevada on Sunday, July 10. 7-Eleven merchandise, including hot and cold food items, were loaded into a Flirtey drone delivery container and flown autonomously using precision GPS to a local customer’s house.
Passing of the baton at J.C. Penney

Some three years after he returned to save J.C. Penney, industry veteran Myron E. (Mike) Ullman will retire from the company on Aug. 1. Ullman is passing the reins of chairman of Penney’s board of directors to current CEO Marvin R. Ellison. The succession is in accordance with a transition plan the company outlined in 2014.