News

The Container Store gives (social) power to the people
Rite Aid gives shoppers 5,000 reasons to use their loyalty card
Rite Aid on Thursday announced a big push behind its unique loyalty card offering wellness+ with Plenti - beginning Jan. 31, Rite Aid is offering its wellness+ with Plenti members the opportunity to earn 5,000 Plenti points when they spend up to $200 on participating products in stores or online. During Rite Aid’s “Big Point Event,” which runs through Feb. 27, customers can make multiple visits and purchases to reach the reward thresholds to earn up to 5,000 Plenti points.

FTC: Identity theft rises sharply

Retailers looking for validation that their data privacy efforts matter can look to disturbing new figures from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

According to data released by the FTC, it received more than 490,000 consumer complaints about identity theft in 2015. This is a 47% increase from the number of identity theft complaints in 2014. The Department of Justice estimates that in total, 17.6 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2014.
Coming soon: The Etsy of African and ethnic apparel

Shoppers frustrated by an inability to find trendy ethnic clothing will soon been able to access all manner of African inspired apparel via a new platform designed to connect buyers and sellers.

Scheduled to launch April 11, Boutique Africaine will serve as an online marketplace for ethnic clothing, accessories, and home and living items – and serve as yet another reminder of how the Internet enables the creation of new retail business models to serve the perceived unmet needs of niche consumer segments.
Macy's and Etsy open a millennial magnet in Manhattan

Macy's has partnered with one of the hottest online retailers to open a pop-up shop of handmade wares at its legendary store in Manhattan.

A team of buyers from Macy's hand-selected more than 50 products from eight designers for the new Etsy Shop at Macy's in Herald Square. The assortment features stationery, jewelry and homewares, and also includes five unique items designed exclusively for Macy’s from Sol del Sur, Meera Lee Patel, and Modern Mud.
Report: Circuit City is making a comeback

Remember Circuit City? According to a new report from Twice, the new owners of the naming rights to the electronics chain have an ambitious plan to open retail outlets, websites, branded and private-label products, licensed kiosks, mobile shops and franchise opportunities -- all under the Circuit City banner. [Twice]
Shoes sales propel profits at Under Armour

Profit at Under Armour increased nicely in the fourth quarter, and the sports clothing company said growing shoe sales led the company to increase its outlook.
College kids lend Lane Bryant plus-size prowess

Lane Bryant is all about changing the conversation regarding plus-size fashion and thanks to the efforts of a dozen design students the retailer is interpreting what that means for shoppers.
Cash Recyclers are a Game-Changer

When one looks at the hot topics in retail today, no shortage of economists, journalists, industry thought-leaders and technology pundits are talking about the future of payments. One topic that many aren’t really discussing is managing large volumes of cash receivables.
Amazon shows why it’s every retailer’s nightmare

It was a happy holiday season at Amazon.com where fourth quarter profits more than doubled, sales increased 22% and the company handily surpassed annual sales of $100 billion for the first time.

Amazon.com said its net sales increased 22% to $35.7 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $29.3 billion in fourth quarter 2014. With a $1.2 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates, fourth quarter sales would have increased 26%.
Shoe retailer fits into bigger online capabilities

Regional footwear retailer Schuler Shoes does not have immediate access to the same type of e-commerce functionality as its larger competitors.

But the 10-store omnichannel chain, headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, has still been able to offer advanced search and navigation features to site visitors.
Quiksilver rides again: Retailer set to emerge from bankruptcy

Action sports retailer Quiksilver and its nearly 1,000 stores are set to emerge from bankruptcy on Feb. 8, under the majority ownership of Oaktree Capital Management.

Quiksilver filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 9, 2015 and on Jan. 28, the company and Oaktree Capital Management issued a statement indicating that funds managed by Oaktree will convert substantial existing United States debt holdings into a majority of the stock in the reorganized company on exit.