News

Study: The price may not be right for retailers
Retailers are not feeling confident that their pricing strategies are satisfying consumers.

A new report on pricing conducted by RSR Research and sponsored by retail consulting and analytics firm Precima, “Pricing 2016: Life Becomes Unmanageable,” reveals retailers are worrying that consumers do not believe they are priced competitively enough.
Lululemon founder slams company management, board
Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon Athletica Inc., is not one to mince words.

Wilson, the company’s largest shareholder with a 14.2% stake, on Wednesday issued an open letter to investors in which he sharply criticized the apparel retailer’s management, calling its competence “uninspiring at best.” He called for annual election of the board to hold members accountable for Lululemon’s performance.

Focus on New York market boosts Ahold USA Q1 sales

Ahold USA first quarter sales were up 4% to $8.2 billion. Excluding gas, sales increased 4.1% at constant exchange rates. The addition of 25 A&P stores in the New York Metro market in fourth quarter 2015 was the main contributor to the overall sales growth and resulted in an overall market share improvement in both dollars and volume, Ahold reported.
Ascena Retail sales disappoint; cuts guidance

A cold spring helped dampen sales and earnings at one of the nation’s leading apparel companies.

Ascena Retail, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Justice and Dressbarn, reported profit of $15 million in the third quarter, ended April 23, down from $24 million in the year-ago period.
Las Vegas shopping center adds digital glitz

Miracle Mile Shops, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, is targeting customers online in a big way.

The 1.2-mile shopping center has relaunched its site to offer a comprehensive snapshot of its offerings while encouraging visitors to engage on its social media channels. Now optimized for mobile technology, the site lets users search stores, promotions and offerings.
Rite Aid expands supply chain infrastructure in South Carolina

It’s been a long time, but Rite Aid Corp. is opening a new distribution center.

Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the facility is the company’s first new distribution center in 16 years. Rite Aid is currently awaiting regulatory approval for a proposed $17.2 billion merger with Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Veteran supermarket retailer dies

The 95-year old co-founder of the North Carolina-based supermarket chain that became Food Lion has died at the age of 95.

Ralph Ketner and two others in 1957 founded Food Town, which changed its name to Food Lion in 1982.
Fast-growing retailer enters new state

Five Below is expanding at a fast clip this year.

The extreme-value brand for pre-teens and teens will open its first store in Oklahoma, in Oklahoma City, on June 3, 2016.

A second store Oklahoma, in Edmond, will open on June 24, 2016.

The Philadelphia-based chain is one of the fastest growing retailers in the country. It plans to open approximately 85 new stores in 2016, up from 71 stores in 2015.
Rue La La readies pop-up shop

Cotton lovers in the Boston area have a two-day opportunity to shop an in-store collection before it becomes available online.

Rue La La has partnered with promotional group Cotton Inc. for a second year. To kick off the collaborations, the brands will launch a custom-developed pop-up shop. The co-branded #SummerofCotton pop-up shop will be located on Newbury Street in Boston for two days, June 4-5.
American Apparel ties employee scheduling to performance

American Apparel is providing store managers with new insight into traffic and conversion so they can better perform staffing.

The specialty apparel chain is deploying StoreForce across all of its 202 stores in 19 countries. The solution allows managers to schedule store associates based on traffic patterns. It also delivers real-time performance metrics such as conversion rates. This allows managers to react to real-time opportunities to drive sales.