News

Community of commerce innovators set to gather in Las Vegas
The forces of disruption influencing so much of retail have finally arrived at one of the industry’s most tradition-bound segments. Retail trade events have changed little the past 20 years, but a new event called Shoptalk (May 16-18) is reimagining every aspect of the concept. Event co-founder and chairman Anil Aggarwal spoke with Retailing Today about Shoptalk, what it is, what it isn’t and how he plans to create a community of commerce innovators.

RT: What is Shoptalk?
SmartLabel: Bringing the Future of Shopping to Consumers
Today’s consumer is asking more and more about the food, beverage and consumer products they buy, use and consume. They want to know what is in the product, how to use it and what is in its packaging. They want to know who benefits from the manufacturing and how. And it doesn’t stop there.

The question is how CPG companies can meet this consumer demand when there is no way all of this information would fit on a package label.

Key Corner in Gaslamp Quarter to be redeveloped

San Diego -- OliverMcMillan announced plans to transform the former theatre building at 5th Avenue and G Street located in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.

“Our vision is to revitalize this active corner perfectly situated in the heart of the Gaslamp. Redeveloping this prime site will provide Downtown more opportunities to engage our local community and tourists alike,” said Dene Oliver, CEO of OliverMcMillan.
GBT acquires land for new Sprouts Farmers Market location

Dallas -- GBT Realty Corp. announced it has acquired 2.3 acres of the 12-acre retail site at Eldorado and Teel Parkways in Frisco, Texas on Feb. 16 from CMTEX, Inc. for $1.1 million. Sprouts Farmers Market will build its second store in Frisco, Texas on the site. To date, GBT has developed four locations in two states for the healthy grocer that offers fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices.
CBRE arranges sale of White Bear Marketplace

Minneapolis -- CBRE’s Capital Markets Investment Properties Group announced it has arranged the sale of White Bear Marketplace, located in St. Paul Minnesota, on behalf of its client, Oppidan Investment Company. CBRE’s SVP Jim Leary and senior associate Jeff Budish represented Oppidan Investment Company in the transaction.
RCP announces $300 million mixed-use development

Atlanta -- RCP Companies announced a $300 million, experiential, mixed-use development in the heart of Henry County known as Jodeco|Atlanta South in Atlanta. Construction is expected to commence later this year with initial tenants opening doors in 2017.

Preliminary plans for the mixed-use development include retail and restaurants, an entertainment hub, amphitheatre, outdoor fitness and recreation areas and residences within an amenity-rich, urban district.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: SMS Marketing Tips from Walmart

If you want to improve your SMS marketing, you should take a look at Walmart; they’ve got some dynamite strategies. Walmart’s SMS offerings are broad, yet each either solves a problem or reduces a pain point traditionally associated with in-store shopping.

In-Store Product Info via SMS
Walmart has developed an SMS-based system called Simple Text that allows mobile users to send a text to a phone number posted in-store to receive product location and information.
Meijer toasts craft beer growth

Twenty years after carrying its first craft brew at a single Kalamazoo store, Meijer is selling more than 34 locally-brewed craft beers each minute in Michigan while continuing to add up-and-coming local breweries to an extensive selection that rivals specialty stores across the Midwest.

Meijer says it expects to continue five years of double-digit volume growth in craft beer sales and plans to sell more than $90 million in craft beer in 2016, including $30 million in local and hyper-local craft beers produced by breweries in Michigan.
Groupon hits sales milestone

Online deal provider Groupon has joined an elite group – companies that have sold one billion products.

In Groupon’s case, the product is also known as a “Groupon,” or a limited-time, localized online promotion. It took Groupon, which launched in October 2008, roughly seven-and-a-half years to reach the billion-Groupon mark.
Regional grocer offers the personal touch

Niemann Foods, a 100-plus-store independent supermarket chain headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, is individually engaging customers wherever they are.
Dillard’s stocking on its own shares

Dillard’s has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase up to $500 million of its Class A Common Stock.

The new open-ended authorization permits the company to repurchase its Class A Common Stock in the open market, pursuant to preset trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or through privately negotiated transactions. The company completed the authorization under its previous $500 million share repurchase program during the fourth quarter of 2015.
Is Gap Inc. really back on track?

Gap Inc. says its fourth quarter results show the company's turnaround plan is working, but the retailer continues to post lackluster sales and earnings.

The parent company of Old Navy and Banana Republic says fourth-quarter profits were $214 million, or 53 cents per share, for the three-month period ended Jan. 30. That compares with $319 million or 75 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue dropped nearly 7% in the quarter to $4.39 billion. Same-store sales declined 7%.