News

Bon-Ton Stores closing three stores
The Bon-Ton Stores announced it will close its Elder-Beerman stores in the Huntington Mall in Huntington, West Virginia and the Lima Mall in Lima, Ohio. The retailer said it will not renew the stores’ leases, which terminate January 31, 2016.

Additionally, Bon-Ton is closing its namesake store in the Carousel Center in Syracuse, New York, upon its scheduled lease termination on February 28, 2016.

The company said it does not expect costs associated with the closing of the locations to be material.
Amazon gets into the restaurant delivery biz in Oregon
Hungry consumers in Portland just got a new option for convenient eating.

Amazon.com is enabling Prime Now customers in Portland to obtain free delivery from local restaurants and food carts. Using the Prime Now mobile app, Portland customers can view participating restaurants, browse menus, place orders, track the status of their delivery, and watch as the driver travels from the restaurant to the delivery address in real time.

Once an order is placed, Amazon delivery drivers pick up and deliver the food within an hour or less.

Outdated technology holding back retailers

Yesterday’s POS won’t cut it when it comes to providing a consistent experience across channels.

That’s among the findings of a study sponsored by NetSuite and conducted by RSR research, which finds that most retailers are falling short in bridging the online and in-store experience Among the main obstacles: outdated existing technology.
Restoration Hardware gives shoppers a view of the Rockies

RH (Restoration Hardware Holdings) has unveiled the latest iteration of the brand’s next-generation design galleries concept at Cherry Creek Shopping Center, in Denver.
Sears puts ‘S’ in seamless experience

Sears Holdings is quite the omnichannel innovator and it just launched another new capability melding digital and physical.
Report: Evolve brick-and-mortar to keep up with times

Retailers should continually re-invent the in-store experience to keep up with changing consumer needs.

That is one of the key imperatives for growth identified in a new retail index and executive survey, “Reigniting Growth: Three Imperatives for Retail’s Future,” by SAP SE.
Holiday shoppers may never need to leave home

It’s not like the holidays weren’t going to be challenging enough, but now Amazon.com is expanding its free same-day delivery service to more markets.

Amazon.com said it expanded it Prime free same-day delivery to Chicago and Orlando and new locations in the greater New York, northern New Jersey and Philadelphia area. The service, which does require an annual $99 Prime membership fee, is now available in 750 cities in 16 metropolitan areas. It launched in May.
DirectBuy: Mobile is everywhere

Mobile devices are becoming the norm for every facet of consumers’ lives, including shopping.

According to a new infographic from membership-based retailer DirectBuy, 29% of U.S. adults describe their smartphone as something they can’t live without, 44% sleep with a smartphone by their bed to avoid missing notifications, and 67% check smartphones for notifications even without receiving some type of notification.
Target plans a very social Halloween

Target is reaching out directly where consumers digitally congregate for its new Halloween promotion.

Target has launched a six-part YouTube interactive video series, “The House on Hallow Hill,” for Halloween this year. The interactive videos will take viewers through a haunted house and give them options to visit different themed rooms, such as “The Ghoulish Graveyard.”
Development boom continues on Philadelphia’s North Broad Street corridor

Philadelphia -- Metro Commercial Real Estate has been named the exclusive listing agent for 1300 Fairmount, located in Philadelphia, steps from the Fairmount Station of SEPTA’s Broad Street Line and bus system.

The mixed-use project by RAL Development Services, LLC and Amalgamated Bank’s Longview Ultra Fund, will consist of 486 apartments and structured parking above approximately 84,000 sq. ft. of retail space geared towards national and regional retailers.