News

Walgreens' Red Nose Day campaign a hit with shoppers
A British charity has brought its highly successful fundraising event across the pond, with a lot of help from Walgreens.
Accenture acquisition to expand digital consulting capabilities
Retailers are poised to benefit from a new deal between Accenture and Javelin Group, a UK-based retail strategy consulting and digital transformation services provider.

The acquisition will expand the capabilities of Accenture Strategy to help the world’s leading retailers and consumer brands accelerate their digital transformation. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

Big Lots to launch AKC pets line

Big Lots is looking to get a piece of the $1 billion pet products pie with a new and exclusive partnership with the American Kennel Club.

The retailer has announced that it plans to launch AKC®Select, an exclusive line of pet products featuring the American Kennel Club brand. This new premium line of merchandise, along with Big Lots' current pet product offerings, will provide dog owners with an exceptional value, the company said.
The next big fast-fashion collaboration is here

H&M aims to bring the haute couture of French design house Balmain to the masses with a new collection this fall.

Olivier Rousteing, head designer at Balmain, announced the partnership last night on Twitter, which H&M confirmed.
Report: Google to roll out 'Buy' buttons

Google Inc. is reportedly planning to start providing users with “Buy” buttons in their search results within the next few weeks.
Kohl's opening 'Off Aisle' concept in New Jersey

Kohl’s is preparing to open a store in Southern New Jersey called "Off Aisle by Kohl's," a name that suggests the company may be following the lead of other retailers opening off-price formats.

It is not readily apparent what the assortment or pricing will be at the new offering from Kohl's. Multiple attempts to reach representatives at Kohl's were unsuccessful.
IBM: Mother’s Day drives online shopping spike

New York -- Mother’s Day is turning into a goldmine for online retailers. Overall U.S. retail online sales for the week leading up to Mother's Day rose more than 15% compared to the same period last year, according to IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. Mobile traffic accounted for 46.3% all online traffic, up more than 21% compared to last year. Mobile sales saw strong growth, up more than 43%, reaching over 24.4% of all online sales.
IBM: Mother’s Day drives online shopping spike

New York -- Mother’s Day is turning into a goldmine for online retailers. Overall U.S. retail online sales for the week leading up to Mother's Day rose more than 15% compared to the same period last year, according to IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. Mobile traffic accounted for 46.3% all online traffic, up more than 21% compared to last year. Mobile sales saw strong growth, up more than 43%, reaching over 24.4% of all online sales.
Shoes.com’s Q1 gross revenue up 89% amid repeat traffic

Vancouver -- Fast-growing Canadian online footwear retailer Shoes.com has reported record first quarter. In its first quarterly financial report since consolidating three online businesses under one platform, the company reported an increase in gross revenue of 89% to $60 million and a 129% increase in revenue from repeat customers.

Gross profit margins remained robust at 44%.
Survey: Malls still matter

Chicago – Despite significant changes in society and online commerce, the mall remains the primary shopping destination in America. Consumer shopping habits have changed, but only slightly, according to JLL’s Shopping Preferences Survey, which polled nearly 3,000 consumers nationwide.
PayPal to trade on Nasdaq after eBay split

San Jose, Calif. – In one more sign the long-discussed eBay-PayPal split is really on its way, PayPal has announced it will trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol “PYPL” once it is spun off from parent company eBay. PayPal was initially founded as an independent company in 1998 and joined eBay in 2002.

PayPal intends to become a platform for a world in which all commerce is performed digitally.
Lilly Pulitzer enhances omnichannel experience with Manhattan Associates

King of Prussia, Pa. – Apparel retailer Lilly Pulitzer is looking to improve its omnichannel customer experience with a rollout of multiple solutions from Manhattan Associates Inc. The deployment will include Manhattan Associates POS, clienteling, store inventory management and tablet retailing applications.