News

Study: Retailer apps focus on consumer engagement
New York – Mobile apps have a lot of potential uses, but in 2015 retailers will likely focus on consumer engagement. According to the 2015 E-commerce Industry Outlook report from performance marketing technology company Criteo, 42% of retail executives and ad agencies rank consumer engagement as the primary goal of mobile app strategies.

Other Criteo predictions, based on data insights from billions of online transactions, include:
L’Oreal enters e-commerce arena with StyleSeat partnership
New York – L’Oreal USA is venturing into e-commerce via a partnership with with StyleSeat, an online platform for beauty and wellness services. Consumers already use StyleSeat to research and book appointments with hair and nail professionals, and it now offers salon-only L’Oreal authentic products for sale, as well.

Each purchase on StyleSeat can be made through the individual stylist pages. Users can also receive personalized email recommendations from stylists about products to use in between trips to the salon.

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Beat the Consumer Goods Supply Chain Challenge

By Rich Becks, E2open

To stay competitive in today’s marketplace, consumer goods companies are reaching across the globe to seek new customers in new markets. In order to cater to these new customer segments, brand owners are now providing a dizzying array of local product variations through a complex network of outsourced manufacturing partners.
Family Dollar shareholders approve Dollar Tree deal

New York -- After months of delay and a failed bid by Dollar General, Family Dollar shareholders agreed to be acquired by Dollar Tree in a deal that creates a combined company with more than 14,000 locations, estimated annual sales of $19 billion and compelling growth opportunities.

Approval of the deal creates a new competitive dynamic in the world of extreme value retailing with the combination of Dollar Tree and Family Dollar making for a more formidable competitor to Dollar General and its nearly 12,000 stores.
Weak traffic, Sears sales plague Lands' End holiday

Weak retail traffic and fewer sales at Sears hurt Lands’ End Inc. during the peak holiday season.

The retailer said it expects that for the period ending Jan. 30, earnings are expected to fall 20% to 26% from the year-earlier period to between $34 million to $37 million. On a per-share basis, the retailer forecast earnings of $1.06 to $1.16. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had been expecting $1.38 a share in earnings.
Walmart Canada opening 11 new supercenters

Walmart is capping off the end of its fiscal year with a flurry of activity, as the retailer is poised to open more stores in Canada.

Walmart said it will open 11 new supercenters by Jan. 29, completing its expansion for the company's current fiscal year ending Jan. 31.

These openings will bring Walmart’s total store count in Canada to 394 stores.
Retailers favored in Patriots, Seahawks Super Bowl matchup

A big game bonanza is in store for retailers, with television viewership and entertainment related spending expected to hit record levels, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

According to NRF, average viewer spending will reach a survey high of $77.88, up from $68.27 last year, with fans planning to splurge on everything from game day food and new televisions to athletic wear and decorations. Total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion.
Dollar General CEO to fight on

Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling had planned to retire in a few months, but after Family Dollar shareholder’s snubbed his company’s buyout offer, Dreiling said he’ll stick around a bit longer.
Sears picks former CVS/Rite Aid exec to lead Kmart pharmacy

Sears Holdings has a new leader for its Kmart pharmacy division. The company announced that it has hired Phil Keough as SVP and president, pharmacy.

Keough most recently served as CEO and president of Millennium Pharmacy Systems, a long-term care pharmacy provider, and led the sale of the company to PharMerica.

In his new role with Sears Holdings, Keough will be responsible for leading the Kmart Pharmacy business unit and driving Shop Your Way member engagement to enable online and in-store growth of the company’s Health & Wellness businesses.
Wawa rewards customers with new app

Fans of Wawa may be excited to learn about the innovative new programs the convenience retail chain has rolled out.

The new initiatives -- the Wawa Mobile App and the Wawa Rewards program -- are now available for free through the App Store for Apple devices and through Google Play for Android devices.
BN campaign promotes reading and the Nook

Barnes & Noble Inc. is embarking on a social media-based campaign to inspire more customers to read and promote its Nook e-reader.

The Nook Reading Challenge is a social media-based reading challenge with the goal of inspiring participants to read more and interact with their friends and the book community about what they’re currently reading, the company said.

To participate in the challenge, readers have to commit on their Facebook page to read one or more books between Jan. 24 (National Readathon Day) and Feb. 28 using the hashtag #NOOKReadingChallenge.
Another indication of a strengthening economy

The smallest of small businesses are feeling good about 2015 which is good news for Sam’s Club as it appeals to the key member segment.

Microbusiness owners, defined as companies with five or fewer employees, are feeling better about their ability to maintain or grow their personal income in 2015, according to the Sam’s Club/Gallup Microbusiness Tracker survey of more than 1,000 businesses.