News

A surging American Eagle Outfitters names CEO — finally
Everything old is new again at American Eagle Outfitters, apparently with good reason.

The teen apparel retailer on Wednesday named Jay L. Schottenstein as CEO, effective immediately. Schottenstein, who has served as interim chief since January 2014, will also continue in his role as executive chairman of the board. The news of his appointment came as the retailer reported a strong increase in its third quarter earnings. It was the chain’s third consecutive quarter of increased sales and profits.
Birchbox puts together team for brick-and-mortar expansion
Judging by its recent executive appointments, online beauty subscription retailer Birchbox is getting more and more serious about expanding in the physical space.

The company has named Benjamin Fay as VP of retail development and customer experience, with responsibility for translating the Birchbox brand experience into store design and overseeing execution of the retailer’ s off-line growth.

eBay Enterprise gets in touch with customers

Online retail platform eBay Enterprise is entering a new partnership to help its retail users directly serve the needs of customers.

eBay Enterprise is teaming up with OpenSpan Inc., a provider of contact center automation and intelligence technology, to provide solutions designed to automate, simplify and integrate applications to improve the way contact center agents work.
Walmart: Mobile is 'dominant shopping trend'
Munchies on demand with 7-Eleven’s new college delivery service

7-Eleven is teaming up with a San Francisco start-up to launch an on-demand delivery service at select colleges.

The convenience store giant has partnered with Tapingo, a mobile commerce application for college campuses, to launch on-demand delivery of 7-Eleven products in the college market.
ShopperTrak: In-store sales decline need to be viewed in context

In-store sales declines over Black Friday weekend had many analysts buzzing about the future of brick and mortar. But an expert in store traffic cautioned that the declines should be taken with a grain of salt.

“It’s important to view the decrease in context,” said Bill Martin, founder, ShopperTrak.

Martin noted that where are several contributing factors, including fewer available store hours on Thanksgiving Day and a later Hanukah that is anticipated to push sales into December.
Connecting with Customers Through the Power of Scent

Delivering an excellent in-store experience to customers is no easy task for retailers. In addition to ensuring your employees are offering exceptional customer service, you need to consider how shoppers will perceive every aspect of your store environment, including lighting, music, floor plans and merchandise display. But in determining how to create an optimum in-store environment, don’t forget one of the most important factors that can positively influence the customer experience—scent.
Kohl’s has a heck of a week

With all the attention focused on generally strong online holiday sales during “Cyber Week” (Nov. 23-29), it may be instructive to look at the experience of one major retailer.

Kohl’s has released an infographic summarizing what so far is a successful digital holiday shopping season. Among the facts and figures Kohl’s has released about the performance of Kohls.com during Cyber Week:
Cyber Monday spending hits all-time high

Cyber Monday 2015 will be a day for the retail record books, at least until next holiday season.
Millennials shop differently for same results

The details of how millennials shop may differ from their elders, but the ultimate goal is the same.