News

Starbucks to nearly double store count by 2021; two new formats in works
Starbucks Corp. unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy that calls for major expansion, includes two new store formats, including freestanding bakeries. The coffee giant said it plans to plans to open approximately 12,000 new stores globally by 2021, including 5,000 cafes in China. The new round of expansion would bring Starbucks’s total store portfolio to approximately 37,000 locations.
American Apparel seeks to close nine stores before January auction
The ongoing saga of American Apparel is slowly making its way to a final conclusion. The beleaguered retailer is seeking court approval to shutter nine poor-performing stores by the end of December, prior to the auction of its business on Jan. 9, reported The Wall Street Journal, American Apparel filed Chapter 11 in November, its second filing in 15 months.

Newegg reports record-breaking November sales

Newegg closed the books on its most successful “Black November” to date. Strong sales from the five-day period of Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday drove a 19.1% year-over-year sales increase. These sales surpassed online shopping as a whole, which increased 15.2% during that same time-rame, according to Adobe Digital Insights, as reported on Nov. 29.
Sears expands its ride with Uber

Hoping to lessen the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Sears Holdings and Uber are expanding its Rider Rewards program to 23 new markets. The service, which launched this fall in New York City and Chicago, enabled Sears Shop Your Way loyalty shoppers to link their memberships to their Uber accounts. Every Uber ride they take earns them $2 in loyalty points.
Starbucks to bolster mobile app with artificial intelligence, personalization

Starbucks Corp. is taking its already robust mobile ecosystem to the next level. As part of an ambitious five-year strategy that includes aggressive store expansion, the coffee giant is extending the accessibility of its mobile app with a conversational ordering system, powered by artificial intelligence.
Staples in deal to sell its European operations

Staples will sell a controlling stake in its European operations to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management for an estimated $53.65 million as the retailer continues to focus on North America following its failed take-over of Office Depot.
Alibaba’s payment provider launches in Australia

Alibaba’s newest partnership is further expanding the global reach of mobile payments. Alipay, a digital wallet payment platform run by Alibaba's affiliate Ant Financial, and Quest Payment Systems Pty Ltd, an Australian payments provider, are teaming up to roll out Alipay at select stores in Australia. The digital wallet, which is currently used by Chinese nationals to pay for in-store purchases using their mobile phones, is now available at select stores within The Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist pharmacy groups.
Rent-A-Center upgrades e-commerce platform

An end-to-end e-commerce solution now enables Rent-A-Center visitors to shop online from their desktop, laptop, or mobile device. Rent-A-Center’s new platform enables guests to choose from more than 73 available products, primarily consumer electronics. The new solution also gives shoppers the option to complete an online form to obtain pre-approval to rent from within one of Rent-A-Center’s approximately 2,600 store locations.
Target sponsors home decor pop-up in Manhattan

Target Corp. has teamed up with Domino, a trendy home decor magazine. Domino has opened its first-ever retail store, a pop-up sponsored by Target, in Manhattan, Mediapost.com reported.
NRF seeks to address fees related to port disruptions

The National Retail Federation and a coalition representing retailers, manufacturers, truckers, transportation intermediaries and other business groups have asked the Federal Maritime Commission to set new policy preventing terminal operators and ocean carriers from charging unfair fees when uncontrollable incidents such as storms and strikes keep cargo from being picked up from ports on time.