News

Fujitsu: Major changes in store for retail by 2020
The next five years will see continued consumer adoption of advanced technology drastically alter how retail is conducted.

According to a new study from Fujitsu Americas, 50% of retail will be automated by 2020. Advancements in enterprise technology, supported by Big Data playing a larger behind-the-scenes role, will allow retailers to offer enhanced front-end experiences using mobile platforms, smart sensors and social media.
Target phases out Pharmacy Rewards program
This month, Target began contacting its Pharmacy Rewards members to informing them that the company was ending the rewards program because CVS/pharmacy will bring its own program when it replaces the pharmacies in Target stores as part of a deal between the two companies announced this summer.

What it takes to win with mobile

Home Depot, Amazon.com and Safeway are tops when it comes to offering the best mobile commerce experience according to a new study that benchmarks 20 top U.S. retailers against one another.
Study: Delivery providers stumble in key metric

In the first part of December, delivery providers experienced difficulties that probably left some holiday shoppers less than merry.

According to analysis of what more than 130,000 shoppers said in surveys about on-time deliveries of their full orders between Dec. 1 - Dec. 10 by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, the timeliness trend is clearly downward.
Perfumania has a stinky third quarter

The value proposition of Perfumania stores is under scrutiny after the retailer reported dismal same store sale for the third quarter.

For the 13-week period ended Oct. 31, net sales at Perfumania decreased 8% to $142 million, compared to $154.3 million in the prior year. Same store sales decreased 22.1%. Net income was $3 million, or net income per diluted share of 20 cents, compared to a net income of $7.5 million, or a net income per diluted share of 48 cents during last year’s third quarter.
Valeant extends savings in new fulfillment agreement with Walgreens

Valeant Pharmaceuticals is forming new fulfillment agreements with Walgreens while indicating it intends to extend this distribution model to additional participating independent retail pharmacies.
Doing well by doing good
Focused on flawless, Toys “R” Us ready for stretch run

With the financial picture improving modestly at Toys “R” Us, CEO Dave Brandon said the company is ready to build on third quarter successes during the final days of the holiday season.
Neiman Marcus hit by department store slump

The strong dollar’s influence on tourism and store traffic led the Neiman Marcus Group to report a decline in same-store sales for the first time in six years.
Destination Maternity rejects takeover bid

Destination Maternity Corp. has turned down an offer from a French company that disclosed a 13.1% stake in the U.S. company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Monday.

The nation’s largest retailer of maternity apparel rejected an offer from children’s clothing company Orchestra-Premaman, which manufactures clothing for children and infants, saying the request for talks regarding a potential acquisition were not in the best interests of Destination Maternity shareholders.
Tech Bytes: Top Three Items on Shoppers’ Holiday Experience Wish Lists

We all know the stress of seasonal shopping can make the holidays anything but merry for consumers.

However, there are a few key customer experience features retailers can offer to help make this time of year bearable, if not downright happy, for beleaguered shoppers. The holiday customer experience should be:

App-centric
Report: Pep Boys accepts higher offer from Bridgestone

According to the Associated Press, the company announced on Friday that it will sell itself to Bridgestone for $863 million, a $28 million increase over the previous deal. The two companies announced they would merge in October for a price of $15 per share. Then, Carl Icahn stepped in last week, offering $15.50 per share. [Nashville Business Journal]