News

Electronics chain extends private label card partnership
Hhgregg is ensuring its shoppers retain their buying power. By entered into a multi-year renewal of its consumer financing program, Hhgregg is extending its 17-year partnership with Synchrony Financial. The electronics chain’s private label credit card program provides qualifying cardholders with special financing offers, exclusive in-store and online deals, and online bill pay. The card is accepted across the chain’s 220 stores, and online.
Limited CEO jumps ship for Chico’s
Chico's FAS announced that Diane Ellis has been appointed president of its Chico’s brand, effective November 1, 2016. Ellis joins Chico's from The Limited, where she has served as CEO and president since 2013. Prior to The Limited, Ellis spent six years as president and COO of Brooks Brothers, where she led the stores, ecommerce, IT, HR, sourcing, product development, finance, supply chain and planning functions in support of the global operations of the brand.

West Elm isn’t the only retailer going into the hotel business

Hotels may just be the new frontier for retailers. Shinola, the quirky company best known for its pricey watches, bikes and leather goods, already has its headquarters, manufacturing arm and a flagship in Detroit. Next on the agenda: a 130-room-plus boutique hotel.
AT&T goes big in San Francisco, puts modern spin on historic building

AT&T is pulling out all the stops in San Francisco, opening its largest, most elaborate and most tech-centered store to date. The new, two-level 24,000-sq.-ft. flagship is housed in an historic building located next to the busy and popular cable car turnaround on Powell Street. Constructed in 1908, the building has been restored from floor to ceiling back to its original Baroque architectural design.
Coffee giant in environmental milestone

Starbucks Corp. has opened its 1,000th LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) location. The store, in Ames, Iowa, uses LED lighting to decrease energy use by 30%. Water use was reduced by more than 50% due to low flow sinks and other equipment.
Walmart ramps up fulfillment center growth to compete with Amazon

Walmart has gone into high gear in its fight to challenge Amazon. The chain is on track to double the number of warehouses dedicated to online sales to 10 by the end of 2016, according to a report on nbcnews.com.
Connected homes

IoT is making it easier for retailers to interact with consumers via connected home-based devices that allow consumers to interact with brands without launching a website or mobile app.
The best known is Amazon Echo, a voice activated device designed with an artificial intelligence assistant app called Alexa. Dedicated sensors in the device connect the consumer’s home to their retailers of choice, allowing, via voice commands, consumers to add items to virtual shopping lists or make online purchases.
SPECS 2017 update

Planning is well under way for the 53rd annual SPECS conference, which will be held at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla., March 12–14, 2017. The event is produced by Chain Store Age and is attended by retail and foodservice executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide.
Time Equities buys Dearborn power center for $20.6 million

Mid-America Real Estate reported it has arranged the sale of the Fairlane Meadows Shopping Center in Dearborn, Michigan, to Time Equities for $20.6 million. The seller was Ramco-Gershenson Property Trust. The 157,225-sq.-ft. center is situated within a residential development of the same name. The store roster includes Best Buy, Citi Trends, David’s Bridal, Five Below, and Dollar Tree. It is shadow-anchored by Target and Burlington Coat Factory.
Whole Foods’ rapid solar rollout

Whole Foods Market is saving money and time — and benefiting the environment—by taking an innovative approach to going solar.
That’s according to an analysis by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and The Solar Foundation that found Whole Foods’ strategy of taking a standardized approach to rapid rollout of solar rooftop installations across multiple locations could be a valuable model for other retailers to consider.