News

Bed Bath & Beyond hit with overtime pay suit
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is being accused of shorting the wages of employees by not paying them for overtime. The class action lawsuit, filed in New Jersey’s Middlesex County Superior Court, accuses the home goods retailer of violating the state’s Wage and Hour Law by not paying some of its employees time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 hours.
Super Saturday could attract more shoppers than Thanksgiving weekend
The biggest shopping day of the year is approaching, and shoppers are ready — almost 156 million, to be exact. On Saturday, Dec. 17, 66% of Americans – an estimated 155.7 million people –plan to or are considering taking advantage of Super Saturday sales to complete their holiday gift list, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The survey, which asked 6,890 consumers about their holiday shopping plans, was conducted Dec. 1 - 7.

Iconic San Francisco jeweler opens luxury flagship

The 165-year-old Shreve & Co. has opened a flagship in its San Francisco home town. The two-level, 15,000-sq.-ft. store is Shreve's first new, permanent location in 110 years and features a modern, luxurious design. The centerpiece is a dramatic, free-floated, elongated semi-spiral staircase that offers sweeping views of the store. A waterfall chandelier of lights and crystals is suspended inside the arch of the stairway. A cascade of crystals and lights hangs from the 30-foot ceiling.
RILA Supply Chain Conference coming in February

Logistics and supply chain executives from such retail powerhouses as Walmart, Target, Hudson’s Bay Company, 7-Eleven, Neiman Marcus, and The Home Depot will be among the speakers at the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s annual Retail Supply Chain Conference.
Homes good retailer files for bankruptcy — again

Gracious Home has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, its second filing in six years. In its filing, the 53-year-old retailer, which operates stores in New York City, said “there is a viable business remaining, albeit on a smaller scale.” Gracious Home previously filed for Chapter in August 2010, citing a sales decline due to the 2008 financial crisis.
New cost cutting move: Kroger offering early retirement

The Kroger Co. is offering early retirement to approximately 2,000 corporate employees. The offer does not include store and district associates, senior officers, and supermarket division presidents. It is part of the chain’s effort to lower expenses without directly impacting shoppers.
Rent-A-Center taps Walmart tech exec for new role

Rent-A-Center has appointed Lety Nettles to fill the newly created position of VP of digital integration. Most recently she served as a technology executive designing integration framework and change practices for Walmart.
Walmart unveils prize-linked savings program

Walmart has added to its financial service offerings with a new savings program. The program, called “Prize Savers,” is a prize-linked savings incentive program available to holders of Walmart MoneyCard, the chain’s branded reloadable pre-paid debit cards, the Associated Press reported.
First Look: Rent the Runway opens digitally-enhanced flagship
Now playing on Apple TV: Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is transitioning mobile commerce to the big screen — the television screen, that is. A new Apple TV application called “Amazon App: Browse, Search and Shop” enables Prime members to browse, search and buy products on Amazon’s site directly through Apple TV, Techcrunch.com reported.