News

Embracing Social Media to Enhance Customer Experience
Many companies have developed robust social media platforms for marketing and advertising, but aren’t quite sure how to manage customers who visit a company’s site to lodge a customer service inquiry, simply vent or even express satisfaction with a product or service.

They simply run away from customers. Yet, these same companies would never ignore a customer phone call or email, probably because it seems more controllable than the social media environment.
Lumber Liquidators settles with Department of Justice for $13.2 million
Lumber Liquidators has been handed its penalty by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of illegal sourcing, which will amount to $13.2 million in fines and forfeitures.

99 Cents Only holding Valentine’s Day hug-off

99 Cents Only has done it again. The company’s penchant for clever promotions will be on display on Valentine’s Day in the parking lot of one of its stores on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Macy's and Etsy open a millennial magnet in Manhattan

Macy's has partnered with one of the hottest online retailers to open a pop-up shop of handmade wares at its legendary store in Manhattan.

A team of buyers from Macy's hand-selected more than 50 products from eight designers for the new Etsy Shop at Macy's in Herald Square. The assortment features stationery, jewelry and homewares, and also includes five unique items designed exclusively for Macy’s from Sol del Sur, Meera Lee Patel, and Modern Mud.
Rite Aid gives shoppers 5,000 reasons to use their loyalty card

Rite Aid on Thursday announced a big push behind its unique loyalty card offering wellness+ with Plenti - beginning Jan. 31, Rite Aid is offering its wellness+ with Plenti members the opportunity to earn 5,000 Plenti points when they spend up to $200 on participating products in stores or online. During Rite Aid’s “Big Point Event,” which runs through Feb. 27, customers can make multiple visits and purchases to reach the reward thresholds to earn up to 5,000 Plenti points.
Men’s Wearhouse looking to augment growth under new identity

First Google became Alphabet and now Men’s Wearhouse is following suit by creating a new holding company structure under the name Tailored Brands that hints at growth aspirations beyond the male demographic.
Food Lion hits 1 million Facebook fans, provides meals

Food Lion is feeling good about recently reaching the milestone of 1 million Facebook fans, and is sharing the positive vibes.

In recognition of this social media achievement, Food Lion is donating 1 million meals to those in need. The meals will be donated to Feeding America in the form of a monetary donation (Feeding America provides an average of 11 meals for every dollar donated) and distributed evenly among 30 local Feeding America member food banks within the grocer's service area. The donation will span across its 10-state footprint.
Men’s Wearhouse to augment growth with new name

First Google became Alphabet and now Men’s Wearhouse is following suit by creating a new holding company structure under the name Tailored Brands, a corporate identity that hints at growth aspirations beyond the male demographic.
Tech Bytes: Three Factors that Doomed Google Glass with Consumers

Google is finally shutting down efforts to promote Google Glass as a consumer device.

Back in April 2015, Google said it would partner with Luxottica Group to create a more user-friendly version of the connected eyewear. This announcement followed Google’s decision to essentially putting Google Glass on hiatus in January 2015. However, consumers never took to Google Glass, and after releasing an initial flurry of apps, retailers never really did, either.
FTC: Identity theft rises sharply

Retailers looking for validation that their data privacy efforts matter can look to disturbing new figures from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

According to data released by the FTC, it received more than 490,000 consumer complaints about identity theft in 2015. This is a 47% increase from the number of identity theft complaints in 2014. The Department of Justice estimates that in total, 17.6 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2014.