News

Mall launches ‘industry-first’ navigation app
One of the nation’s most successful upscale shopping centers has launched an app to make shopping easier and more personalized.

The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, New Jersey, has launched an app that offers what the center calls “first-of-its-kind” indoor navigation technology and a host of other shopper-friendly functionality.
Google says, ‘look ma, no hands’

Rite Aid posts year-end sales lift of 1.3%

Rite Aid on Thursday announced February sales results of its retail pharmacy segment. For the five weeks ended Feb. 27, total drugstore sales for the five-week period increased 0.1% with sales of $2.6 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 69.4% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 98% of pharmacy sales.
Aldi takes energy management to the cloud

Discount grocer Aldi has deployed an energy management solution that gives it control and visibility across its nearly 1,500 U.S. stores.

The chain has implemented Siemens’ Site Controls energy management system, with the majority of the installations involving retrofits at existing stores where thermostats or third-party energy management systems were replaced. But the system has been deployed in newly constructed stores as well. Aldi will also install the Site Controls system in new stores as it continues to expand across the nation.
Shoppers stay away from Ann Taylor, Justice over holidays

Ascena says its second quarter revenue got a big boost from the acquisition of Ann Inc., but same-store sales declined sharply during the period.

For the second quarter ended Jan. 23, the companyreported a net loss of 12 cents per diluted share compared to net income of 5 cents per diluted share in the same period of fiscal 2015.Net sales were $1.842 billion compared to $1.289 billion last year, with the increase driven by the acquisition of Ann Inc. Second quarter total comparable sales were down 6%.
Samsung 837, New York City

Samsung Electronics America has opened what it describes as a “living lab” and “digital playground” in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.
American Apparel has enhanced payment in store

American Apparel is looking to make the final step in the path to in-store purchase safer, easier and more efficient.

The specialty apparel chain is deploying a cloud-based payments infrastructure from retail software provider Index. Leveraging the Index Hosted Gateway and Semi-Integrated Payments solutions, American Apparel will obtain the ability to secure card payments at the POS with both point-to-point encryption (P2PE) and EMV authentication. This will validate the cardholder at the moment of transaction and then protect their data as it is processed.
Meijer on the move with new stores and remodels in 2016

Meijer's ambitious growth plans for 2016 involve nine new supercenters, 32 remodels and a $400 million budget.

The company announced the investment includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 different remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to further enhance the customer shopping experience.
Regional Target, Walgreens suppliers obtain new insight

Vendor partners of Target and Walgreens will soon be receiving actionable insights and alerts aimed at improving assortments, product availability, new item retail launches and promotion effectiveness in the Midwest.

Carlin Group (part of Beacon United), a regional sales and marketing solutions company focused on the Midwestern market, is leveraging the retail analytics platform from Retail Solutions Inc. (RSI) to help clients including Target and Walgreens suppliers improve their overall customer experience in the region.
Von Maur’s expanding footprint

Von Maur Department Store is doubling down in Minnesota.

The family-owned company will open a 140,000-sq.-ft. store at the Rosedale Center in St. Paul. Scheduled to open fall 2018, the store will be the retailer’s second location in Minnesota. Construction is due to begin in spring 2017.