News

Study: Retailers' payments programs across channels by no means seamless
Omnichannel may be a big industry buzzword, but retailers are still figuring out how to apply it to payments.

According to a new survey of nearly 100 global retailers by PCM Research and electronic payment and banking solution provider ACI Worldwide, “Omnichannel Payments for Merchants: Myth or Reality?” only 21% of respondents have competed an omnichannel payments program.
Report: Teen retailer on brink of Chapter 11
Aeropostale will reportedly file for bankruptcy protection this week and subsequently close more than 100 of its 800 stores, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The struggling teen apparel retailer plans to reorganize under a Chapter 11 filing this week ahead of May rent payments, the report said. On Aeropostale has been struggling for some time. The chain has recorded three consecutive years of losses as its struggles to deal with a teen audience whose spending tastes now favor fast-fashion giants such as H&M as well as online retailers.

Another retailer to explore strategic alternatives

Build-A-Bear Workshop on Tuesday said it has hired financial and legal advisers to help it explore strategic alternatives. The news came the day after General Nutrition Corp. (GNC) said it was doing the same.
Study: Bad odors, dirty restrooms among top five store turn-offs

Retailers who fail to maintain a clean, well-maintained store are putting themselves at a strong competitive disadvantage.

That’s the takeaway from a new survey conducted by Harris Poll for the Cintas Corp., which found that 93% of U.S. adults would not return to a retailer if they experienced some type of issue related to the facility. The top five factors that would turn patrons away from a store were:

• General bad odor – 78%
• Dirty restrooms (e.g., floors, stalls, mirrors, odor) – 66%
Lowe’s chief marketer to join sporting goods retailer

Academy Sports + Outdoors named Thomas "Tom" Lamb executive VP, chief marketing officer, effective May 23.

Tom, 50, joins Academy after 17 years with Lowe's Companies, where he most recently served as chief marketing officer. At Lowe's he led the marketing, advertising, brand management, private brand development, customer relationship management, and digital communication activities for the $59 billion retailer.
South Dakota sues four big online retailers over sales tax

South Dakota has filed a lawsuit against four online retailers, joining a growing number of other states in a battle that could well end up in the Supeme Court, according to a report by corporatecounsel.com
Publix posts strong Q1

Publix Super Markets on Monday turned in another winning revenue performance, reporting $8.7 billion in sales for its first quarter, up 4.5% from $8.3 billion in the year ago period. Same-store sales rose 3.3%.

Net earnings were up to $581.9 million, up 6% over the same period last year.

It was the first quarterly report issued under new CEO Todd Jones. Former chief executive Ed Crenshaw retired Friday after 42 years with the company and nearly eight as CEO.
Study: This retailer is tops in providing digital experience

When it comes to providing digital consumers with a quality online shopping environment, one well-known discount club chain comes out on top.

According to the “2016 Digital Experience Report” from application performance company Dynatrace, Costco led all online retailers in both performance and reliability. Apple followed in a close second place.
Retailers making Miracle Mile moves

There is a lot of tenant activity going on at the Miracle Miles Shops in Las Vegas with several notable retailers expanding, renovating and growing new concepts.
Convenience store chain goes on hiring spree

Sheetz is putting the “help wanted” sign out.
Party City begins 80 store expansion – in Mexico

The first Party City location has opened in Mexico and with the help of strategic franchise partner Grupo Oprimax a total of 80 locations are planned.
How Competition in Consumer-Facing Technology Threatens the Stability of Retail

Competition in providing the most innovative, unique, and up-to-date services and features to consumers is escalating with the rise and expansion of omnicommerce, a strategy that delivers a seamless customer experience through all available shopping channels. Brands are building in-house development teams or partnering with start-ups and other companies to extend their reach while catering to their customers’ demands of convenience, personalization, and on-trend technology.