News

CBL names Hammontree to development post
CBL & Associates has named Curt Hammontree VP of development. In nearly 18 years with the company, he has worked on 18 mall and outlet developments, the most recent being an outlet project in Laredo, Texas. “Curt has been a valuable contributor to CBL’s successful development,” said president and CEO Stephen Lebovitz. “We are pleased to be able to recognize his many achievements with this promotion.”
What the Age of the Connected Customer Means for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers
For years, retail was neatly divided into two categories: e-commerce and brick-and-mortar. But with the advent of smartphones, digital and physical worlds are melding together, creating a new retail environment in which almost every customer journey involves both online and offline activity. This is particularly true for Generation Z consumers, the first generation to have grown up with digital technologies at their fingertips and who now make up 25% of the total U.S. population.

Amazon steps up logistics footprint

The online retailer is expanding its presence in California. Amazon has pre-leased an additional one million sq. ft. of logistics space from Goodman Commerce Center Eastvale, California, according to a statement by Goodman. Goodman will construct the logistics center for Amazon.
Walmart not combining stores and online buying teams

Despite an earlier report to the contrary, Walmart is not combining its online and store buying functions. Reuters had reported that the discounter was combining its online and store buying operations as it moves to make itself more competitive with Amazon. The report was picked up by numerous media outlets. Based on information from Walmart, however, the chain is not merging the stores and walmart.com buying teams. The two will continue to operate as two separate teams.
Accessories retailer aims to give stores a local feel

Sunglass Hut is making a strategic move to evolve its brick-and-mortar experience. The sunglass retailer has added a a cloud-based merchandising system across its stores in Australia and New Zealand that helps each store localize and personalize its product mixes to create a shopping experience that feels custom-tailored.
Dick’s Sporting Goods does combo store

Dick’s Sporting Goods is putting two of its formats under one roof in the Austin, Texas, market. The retailer will open a Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream store on Friday, March 3 at The Parke in Cedar Park, Texas. It will be Dick’s 677th store and 29th Field & Stream store nationwide. There are currently three other Dick’s Sporting Goods stores in Austin.
Amazon taps Bezos advisor for important new role

A key advisor to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has been appointed to a new position in the company — one that reflects its continued focus on delivery infrastructure. Maria Renz, who served as technical advisor to Bezos for the past two years, has been named to the new role of VP of delivery experience, reported Recode.
Target veteran joins Famous Footwear

Caleres has made two executive appointment in its Famous Footwear division. The company named Karlyn Mattson as chief merchandising officer, leading Famous Footwear’s buying, merchandising, planning, allocation and analytic functions. Mattson joins Caleres from a 25-year career at Target Corp., where she was most recently VP merchandise manager of shoes, accessories and intimate Apparel for retail and online. She held leadership positions at May Company and Macy’s.
Verizon: Data breaches are more complex, pervasive and damaging

As data breaches become more complex, they leave a lingering, if not lasting imprint on an enterprise. While there are many factors that play a significant role in data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, the human element remains the top source contributing to cybercrimes, according to the “2017 Data Breach Digest,” from Verizon.
Amazon reveals some Prime data

For the first time ever, Amazon has released data that details how much money its Prime membership program and other subscription services bring in. Amazon disclosed in its latest annual filing that it brought in $6.4 billion from Amazon Prime and other subscription services, Bloomberg reported.