News

Report: Target to institute new rules, penalties for vendors
Target Corp. is getting tough with vendors as it works to improve its supply chain.

The retailer plans to tighten deadlines for deliveries to its warehouses, hike fines for late deliveries, and could institute penalties of up to $10,000 for inaccuracies in product information, according to a report by Reuters.
Specialty retailer steps up customer experience to support growth
Canadian footwear and accessory retailer The Aldo Group is streamlining e-commerce operations to better satisfy customers and ease international expansion.

Aldo’s previous e-commerce site had issues including inventory inaccuracy, a lack of flexibility and poor performance during high traffic periods. The retailer has overhauled its e-commerce architecture using the SAP Hybris Commerce solution as a new platform.

Samsung offers Amazon alternative with smart grocery shopping

The Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled retail landscape continues evolving with the launch of what could be called a “fridge commerce” (or “f-commerce”) solution by Samsung.

After months of hype, the Samsung Family Hub connected fridge is officially available. The interactive device includes a number of features that streamline the digital grocery process.
Hancock leases offer other retailers new growth prospects

With rental rates rising, expansion minded retailers have a unique opportunity to satisfy their growth aspirations by capitalizing on below market rates available at nearly 200 former Hancock Fabric locations.
School’s not out but marketers already planning for back-to-school shopping

It may seem a little premature given that school is still in session, but the first back-to-school study has been released.

About 62% of households plan to reduce back-to- school spending compared to 2015, according to a survey by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity. Average spend will be $606, or $1,086 for households with college-age children.
Kohl’s is first retailer to integrate Apple Pay with its reward program

Kohl’s has been offering the Apple Pay mobile payment app for store purchases since June 2015. But the retailer is now taking it to another level, more tightly integrating its private credit and loyalty programs with the third-party platform.
David’s Bridal enters into its first franchise agreement

David’s Bridal is expanding south of the border.

The bridal and special occasion retailer is partnering with Diltex, a leading manufacturer and retailer of intimate apparel in Mexico, to open its first franchise location, in Mexico City.

The store is expected to open by the end of 2016 with additional franchise locations planned to open over the next five years across the country.
Study: E-commerce having negative impact on retailers’ operating earnings

Online sales and returns are taking toll on retailers’ bottom lines.

Operating earnings as a percent of sales has declined by up to 25% due to a shift from in-store to online sales, combined with e-commerce and omnichannel investments and the high cost of fulfilling e-commerce transactions, according to a study by strategic retail advisory firm HRC Advisory.
Study: Bad odors, dirty restrooms among top five store turn-offs

Retailers who fail to maintain a clean, well-maintained store are putting themselves at a strong competitive disadvantage.

That’s the takeaway from a new survey conducted by Harris Poll for the Cintas Corp., which found that 93% of U.S. adults would not return to a retailer if they experienced some type of issue related to the facility. The top five factors that would turn patrons away from a store were:

• General bad odor – 78%
• Dirty restrooms (e.g., floors, stalls, mirrors, odor) – 66%
Report: Teen retailer on brink of Chapter 11

Aeropostale will reportedly file for bankruptcy protection this week and subsequently close more than 100 of its 800 stores, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The struggling teen apparel retailer plans to reorganize under a Chapter 11 filing this week ahead of May rent payments, the report said. On Aeropostale has been struggling for some time. The chain has recorded three consecutive years of losses as its struggles to deal with a teen audience whose spending tastes now favor fast-fashion giants such as H&M as well as online retailers.