News

NRF: The nation’s labor secretary must ‘put the American economy ahead of partisan politics’
The National Retail Federation has high expectations for the nation’s next secretary of labor. On the heels of Alexander Acosta’s nomination to head the federal Department of Labor on Thursday, Feb. 16, the retail trade association’s senior VP for government relations David French released the following statement:
VF Corp. sales slip in Q4
An inconsistent U.S. marketplace and the sale of one of its business units contributed to lower fourth quarter sales for VF Corp. The company, whose brands include The North Face and Timberland, reported that its net sales fell 0.1% to of $3.2 billion, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. Total revenue came in at $3.3 billion, down 0.2%.

Study: A majority of millennials shop online for groceries

When it comes to shopping for groceries, millennials are apparently no fan of supermarkets. Nearly two-thirds of millennials shop online weekly for groceries, and this demographic has the potential to transform the retail grocery business, according to new research released by Clavis Insight.
P.F. Chang’s signs on at Butler Town Center

Gainesville retail pioneer Butler Enterprises announced the signing of P.F. Chang’s as a restaurant anchor at its Butler Town Center, now under development. "It's an excellent fit for P.F. Chang's and we're really looking forward to sharing our farm-to-wok food philosophy with the entire Gainesville community," said P.F. Chang’s CMO Dwayne Chambers.
Online giant extending brick-and-mortar footprint

Online giant extending brick-and-mortar footprint. Amazon is taking its bookstore concept to the San Francisco Bay Area, which has a reputation for supporting independent bookstores. The company will open a bookstore at Broadway Plaza, an open-air center in Walnut Creek, California, reported the San Francisco Gate. Although no opening date was given, but Amazon is in the process of staffing up the store.
Final call for Shoptalk’s new ‘Hosted Retailers & Brands’ program

Shoptalk, the “nextgen commerce event,” is still accepting applications for a new initiative that connects retailers and brands with technology companies — and provides complimentary tickets and travel reimbursement to the event. Shoptalk will accept applications for its new “Hosted Retailers & Brands Program” until midnight on Friday, Feb. 17. More than 100 retailers and brands have already been accepted into the program. (Shoptalk will be held March 19-22, 2017, at the Aria in Las Vegas.)
Ulta, Sephora rival taps consulting, retail veteran as new CEO

The baton has been passed at Beauty Brands as it looks to enter its “next phase of growth.” The Kansas City-based retailer has named Caryn Lerner as CEO, succeeding Lyn Kirby, who will remain chairman. Kirby is part of the group that bought Beauty Brands in 2014 from founder Bob Bernstein. Since then, she has served as CEO and chairman of the company, reportedly commuting between Chicago and Kansas City. Prior to Beauty Brands, Kirby served as CEO of Ulta Beauty.
Happy Presidents’ Day

Chain Store Age will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents' Day. We will reopen and resume our normal schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Specialty retailer to explore alternatives

An Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics chain is bringing in outside help as it struggles with sinking sales. Hhgregg announced that it has engaged subsidiaries of Stifel Financial Corp. for advice on potential strategic and financial transactions as the retailer works to improve liquidity and return to profitability.
Store design competition extends entry deadline

The Retail Design Institute has extend the deadline for submission of entries to the International Store Design Competition to March 1, 2017 Design firms and in-house retail design teams from around the globe are invited to submit projects for the Retail Design Institute’s annual competition. Eligible projects are those completed between January 1 and December 31, 2016.