News

Study: How often is mobile used in-store?
The image of shoppers hunched over their mobile devices while they browse store shelves may be less common than retailers imagine.

According to a new survey of 9,142 online consumers in the U.S. and Canada conducted by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity Inc., three-quarters (73%) of online buyers use mobile devices to shop online. However, only one in five (21%) use mobile devices to assist their in-store shopping experience. Mobile devices include both smartphones and tablets.
Inland Real Estate Acquisition announces promotions
Photo: Matthew Tice (left) and Mark Cosenza (right)

Former Staples exec named VP at Wayfair.com

Wayfair has named an e-commerce veteran from Staples to oversee supply chain and operations at the growing online retailer.

Wayfair announced that Sharif Sleiman has joined the company as vice president of supply chain and operations.
Popular New York grocery chain on brink of default

The losses are mounting at one of New York City’s most beloved supermarket chains, the 80-year-old Fairway Market, as it battles increased competition from the likes of Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market. Fairway Group Holdings Corp., is on the cusp of default, and the next step could be bankruptcy court, Crain’s New York reported. The company warned investors in a regulatory filing on Feb. 5 that it could breach its loan agreements.
What’s wrong with us? Most Americans not spending refunds

Retailers used to be able to count on Americans spending every penny of their tax refund, but that’s not the case anymore according to new research from the National Retail Federation.
Executive shake-ups, lay-offs at Bebe

Bebe stores has brought back its founder and former CEO to lead a turnaround effort that includes a 15% reduction in its corporate workforce.

The troubled retailer announced that founder Manny Mashouf has rejoined its management team as CEO, replacing Jim Wiggett, who was hired less than two years ago. Mashouf previously served as CEO from the company’s founding in 1976 to 2004, and then again from 2009 until the beginning of 2013, when he stepped down and became non-executive chairman.
Ollie’s offer size increased

Demand for shares of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is such that the retailer has increased the size of a secondary offering.
Clayton Lane retail portion mixed-use project under new ownership

Denver -- OliverMcMillan in partnership with Invesco Real Estate has purchased the retail portion of Clayton Lane, a mixed-use center located in Denver. The retail project consists of more than 182,000 sq. ft. of retail in six buildings with underground parking.

The property sits in the heart of Denver’s Cherry Creek North and is anchored by Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods Market. Feature retailers include Orvis, HW Home, North, White House | Black Market, Bose and more.
What social platform is eyeing e-commerce?

The list of social media networks offering or planning to offer retail functionality reportedly just got longer. According to Re/Code, Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and a board member of the Snapchat social network, publicly stated that Snapchat intends to offer e-commerce. The announcement came during a presentation Coles made at the Re/Code Code/Media conference in Dana Point, California, on Feb. 17. [Re/Code]
Study: Online fraud soars

The surge in fraudulent e-commerce transactions which was predicted in the wake of U.S. EMV compliance may already be happening.

According to the new Online Fraud Index from payment platform provider Pymnts.com and security technology vendor Forster, fraud attacks on U.S. online retailers rose 163% during the first three quarters of 2015. Interestingly, this large increase in online fraud preceded the Oct. 1, 2015 EMV mandate, although many retailers had already begun or even completed EMV compliance efforts during that time.