News

A different kind of drone rolls into Walmart’s backyard
A major experiment is set to begin soon on the campus of the University of Arkansas that could determine how retailers use robots, also known as autonomous terrestrial drones, to make deliveries.

Beginning April 1, London-based Starship Technologies will be turning heads on the rolling hills of the University of Arkansas campus as an important experiment gets underway to gauge human interaction with autonomous land-based vehicles.
Kohl's, Sears, Home Depot earn Energy Star honors
Sears, Kohl's and The Home Depot are among the retailers that have earned 2016 Energy Star awards from the EPA for leadership in sustainability efforts.

Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency honors a select group of organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. Whether a first time Partner of the Year winner, or a Sustained Excellence winner, these small and large organizations from across the country are leading the energy efficiency movement.

Macy’s sells San Diego store to Westfield Corp.—and then leases it back

Mall owner Westfield Corp. has acquired two buildings owned by Macy’s at Westfield Mission Valley mall in San Diego for approximately $16.5 million.

Included in the sale were a full-line Macy’s department store and a nearby — and much smaller — building that houses a restaurant.

The purchase comes as the retailer remains under pressure from an activist investor to sell off full or partial stakes in some of its real estate.
Amazon Echo grows stronger

Amazon.com has been slowly but surely building the capabilities of its interactive Echo voice-activated consumer device. According to Re/code, integrating Echo with the Alexa artificial intelligence platform to allow the ordering of new commodity items is only a step toward the final goal. Namely, full-scale, Echo-based access to Amazon’s entire inventory. [Re/code]
Hip new retail hub to open in unusual — and busy — NYC location

An underground shopping arcade with cool stores and hip eateries is coming to one of the busiest subway stations in New York City.

TurnStyle is set to open in mid-April, on the subway concourse at the 59th Street Columbus Circle subway station in Manhattan. The 30,000-sq.-ft. center, the first major privatization of a New York subway station, is located along both sides of the 325-ft. long passageway from Eighth Avenue and 57th Street to the subway platforms at 59th Street-Columbus Circle. (The passageway is free to pedestrians since it is not in the fare zone.)
Korean beauty retailer sets up shop in the United States with more stores to come

Photo: Aritaum, H-Mart, Ridgefield, New Jersey
Report: Hy-Vee invests $3.6 million in new training center

Hy-Vee invested $3.6 million in a new training center for employees and to serve as a headquarters for the Hy-Vee Aisles Online, the company's online grocery division, KCCI Des Moines reported earlier this week. "We are excited to have a creative environment and innovative tools to help grow our future store leaders," stated Denise Broderick, VP education/training for Hy-Vee. "We understand that growing and improving our workforce is crucial to our company’s continued success.
NRF tells Fed to lower swipe fees further

The National Retail Federation is pressing for a further reduction in per transaction fee banks charge retailers when customers use debit cards five years after the Federal Reserve cut the fee in half.

In a letter the National Retail Federation sent to the Federal Reserve the trade group said the cap on debit card swipe fees enacted by the Federal Reserve five years ago has helped reduce costs for retailers and consumers but is still higher than intended by Congress and should be lowered.
Victoria’s Secret launches new line with social support

Leveraging its status as a leading lingerie retailer, Victoria’s Secret has released the 2016 edition of its “What is Sexy?” list compiled with social media input to support the launch of several new product lines.
Ex-Walmart, Sears exec joins Conn's board

Conn's is adding two independent directors with deep retail expertise to its board.

The company announced that James Haworth and Oded Shein have been appointed as independent directors.

“Jim and Oded are proven leaders with more than a half century of combined retail experience,” said Theodore M. Wright, non-executive chairman of the board, Conn’s. “They add even greater depth to our Board as we continue implementing Conn’s strategic plan.”