News

Torrid model search goes omnichannel
Plus-size fashion retailer Torrid has a new model to showcase in its latest omnichannel marketing campaign.

The company has announced the winner of its model search: Lyanna Lynette. The 26-year-old Southern beauty was revealed in a 12-episode Web series on YouTube. The first of its kind in plus-size fashion, the series follows the four finalists as they compete to become the Face of Torrid 2016. The series can be watched, in full, on Torrid's YouTube channel.
Lowe’s continues building toward visual future
Trying to picture how home improvements will look in your mind’s eye can be tough, and Lowe’s is using emerging technology to expand the view.

Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, recently told Chain Store Age how retailer’s proprietary technology development center is developing an app for the new Project Tango virtual reality (VR) mobile platform. Jointly created by Google and computer technology company Lenovo, Project Tango provides mobile devices with spatial capabilities.

NRF slashes holiday sales forecast

The National Retail Federation confirmed what many retailers already knew and made a downward revision to a holiday forecast that initially called for 3.7% growth.

Citing what it called “unforeseen events,” the National Retail Federation (NRF) said sales during November and December increased 3% to $626 billion, down from an earlier forecast which envisioned growth of 3.7%.
Build-A-Bear Workshop gets the goods with planning upgrade

Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. offers a highly customized product across multiple channels, which can make planning tricky.

Add in that the 400-store global retailer has an aggressive strategy for further international growth, and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of its omnichannel merchandise planning becomes what could be called a “bearish” task.
Report: Amazon expands logistics reach

Amazon.com's China division has registered as an ocean freight forwarder, which will give the e-commerce giant more control over shipping products from Chinese factories to U.S. shoppers, according to Reuters.

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The Mobile Trend That Some Retail Brands May Miss

It was a big season for online retailers. From November through December 2015, the final sales tally exceeded $83 billion (12.7% more than the year before). Cyber Monday alone ended up being the single largest online shopping day in history, generating over $3 billion in sales.
American Apparel board rejects Charney-supported takeover bid

Has founder and ousted CEO Dov Charney made his last stand at American Apparel?

The board of American Apparel Inc. rejected a $300-million takeover bid from Hagan Capital Group and Silver Creek Capital Partners — the investors aligned with Charney — according to the Los Angeles Times.
Sundance, Galleria Edina, Edina, Minnesota

Sundance is gearing up for retail expansion with a new prototype that speaks to its Western roots and brand heritage.
Fresh delivery market gets new player

Move over, Amazon, Target and Google – the fresh delivery space is getting a little more crowded.

FreshDirect, the New York-based online provider of custom and prepared grocery items and meals, is launching a mobile one-hour fresh item delivery service.
Walmart closing unprecedented number of stores

Walmart said it will close 269 stores worldwide this year, including many of its smallest stores, in an unprecedented move CEO Doug McMillon characterized as being more disciplined about growth.