News

Key Elements to a Successful Queue-Free Checkout
The queue-free checkout is dominating retail headlines these days. Amazon's recent deal with Whole Foods Market, when combined with the online giant's visionary Amazon Go concept, has everyone imagining a new and improved process across the organic chain’s hundreds of stores.
Things looking up at Target
Target Corp. on Thursday surprised the industry and investors with some good news. The discounter updated its guidance and said that as a result of improved traffic and sales trends through the first two months of the quarter, it expects to report a modest increase in its second quarter same-store sales. Target previously said it expected a decline.

College students to boost back-to-school spending to all-time high

An uptick in college student enrollment will give a big boost to retailers' second biggest shopping season. Combined back-to-school and back-to-college spending is projected to reach $83.6 billion, up more than 10% from last year’s $75.8 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics.
J.C. Penney jumps into $20 billion industry with in-store shops

J.C. Penney isn't playing around when it comes to toys.
Tiffany names luxury retail veteran as CEO

Tiffany & Co. has found its next chief executive. The jeweler has named Alessandro Bogliolo as CEO, effective October 2, 2017. Tiffany has been looking for a CEO since February, when Frederic Cumenal abruptly left the company in a shakeup amid disappointing financial results. Bogliolo, 52, has been CEO of Diesel SpA, a global apparel and accessories company, since 2013. At Diesel, he led the company’s efforts to revitalize its brand and enhance the customer experience.
Retail giant launches new services, tools for back-to-school

Walmart is making it easier for parents to stay on their game during this year's back-to-school shopping season. According to the National Retail Federation, this year's season is expected to be a strong one and start early. Walmart is rolling out new services to help shoppers easily find what they are looking for — in stores and online.
Walmart looks to help others with women's empowerment

Walmart has launched a digital platform to share tips and learnings that grew out of its five-year Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative. As part of the ambitious initiative, which Walmart completed in January, the chain sourced $20 billion from Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) for its U.S. business, increased sourcing from WOBs internationally, and trained more than 1 million women worldwide.
America’s Top 10 Retail Center Experiences

Last years’ Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, a music and dance fest with rides, drew 130,000 young people on its final day. This summer, Billy Joel will play his 43rd sellout concert at Madison Square Garden, where floor tickets sell in the $200 range. No matter their age or inclination, people still want to leave their laptops and homes behind and be with other people. They just need someone to give them a really good reason to do it.
Specialty retailer integrates omnichannel experience

As Cole Haan expands its breadth, the retail experience must remain consistent — regardless of the touchpoint shoppers use. In partnership with Aptos, the specialty retailer now has a platform that delivers a seamless customer experience throughout the entire shopping journey. Regardless of whether shoppers visit one of the company’s 259 stores across 30 countries, or shop online, now they will get a unified experience.
Prime Day knocks it out of the park — and not just with record sales

Amazon’s third annual Prime Day was its biggest shopping event yet — and the biggest day in its history for signing up new Prime members.