News

Charming Charlie Moving Full Speed Ahead
Charming Charlie has been on an upward trajectory for the past 10 years, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. With 350 U.S. stores (plus four in Canada), the Houston-based, privately held jewelry and accessories retailer is busy expanding at home and, more recently, abroad. In June, it opened its first-ever location in New York City, a three-level, 16,000-sq.-ft.
Sears, Target Get 'Smart'
Retailers open spaces dedicated to the connected home

Sears and Target have looked into the future (a future that some would say is already here) of residential living, and it’s “connected.” The two retailers have both opened spaces that showcase the concept of the connected home — a house where, put simply, appliances and accessories come with digital sensors that connect to the Internet and can be controlled from anywhere via a smartphone.

These so-called “smart” devices span a range of categories, from washers and refrigerators to safety and

Listen Up

Facebook and Twitter don’t have the power to move mountains (not yet anyway), but one thing is certain: Retailers are not only listening to the conversations going on out there about their brands, but, increasingly and when it makes brand-sense, acting on them. At least the smart ones are.

Consider Topshop. The global fashion retailer came under fire for using ultra-thin mannequins in its stores.
Study: Target exiting pharmacy on a high note with consumers

Westlake Village, Calif. – Target Corp. may be exiting the pharmacy business, but the retailer is doing so on a high note.

According to the new 2015 U.S. Pharmacy Study from J.D. Power, Target, which in June announced it would sell its pharmacy business to CVS Health for $1.9 billion and rebrand its nearly 1,700 prescription departments as CVS/pharmacy, ranked highest among mass merchandiser pharmacies.
Target goes shopping for products

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is doing a little shopping of its own with a new sourcing solution that gives its buyers an online shopping-like experience.

The mass merchandise giant is utilizing RangeMe, a solution that lets suppliers upload their products with supporting information such as a pitch video, pricing and photos.
Under Armour promotes training as lifestyle across consumer lives

Baltimore - Under Armour is promoting the idea of training as a lifestyle across every touch-point of consumers’ lives.

The vertical specialty fitness retailer’s Rule Yourself marketing campaign includes TV, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and a variety of lifestyle, digital and mobile outlets.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Using Technology to Tackle Your Liquidation Program

Between buyer’s remorse, relaxed return policies and the substantial increase in online purchases (which come with an average return rate of 12%-15%), 3.5 billion items are returned to retailers each year. This adds up to around $260 billion of merchandise.
Blockbuster deal: Sycamore Partners buys Belk for $3 billion

Charlotte, N.C. -- Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is adding a department store to its growing portfolio.

Belk, the nation's largest family owned and operated department store company, on Monday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be 100% acquired by Sycamore Partners in a transaction with an estimated value of approximately $3 billion.
Walmart pledges $25M on Katrina anniversary

As the 10th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina approaches, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are making a commitment to disaster relief efforts.
Sycamore Partners to buy Belk for $3 billion

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is adding a department store to its growing portfolio, which includes such brands as Aeropostale, Jones New York and Nine West.
Johnson & Johnson exec to lead hardlines for Sears

Sears Holdings Co. has made an interesting choice to lead its hardlines division.

The company announced that Lynn Pendergrass has joined the company in the new role of president, hardlines. In this position, she will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners — including Home Appliances, Lawn & Garden, Tools, and Sears Auto Centers — to develop compelling offers and build relationships with members who shop the hardline categories.
Curbside pickup gets even more hands-free

Store pickup at Target, Best Buy and other major retailers is getting a boost from a whole new innovation from tech startup Curbside.

The company, which has partnered with these retailers to provide a curbside pickup app for its customers, has unveiled its first ever Curbside Pickup Pod at the Glendale Galleria mall in Southern California.