News

Body Central adds apparel expertise
Veteran apparel merchant Celia Clancy spent time at Bradlees, Walmart and TJX Companies. Now she is the newest member of struggling specialty retailer Body Central’s board of directors.
Men’s Wearhouse likes look of service
Planning for a wedding will never be the same thanks to a new service Men’s Wearhouse is launching in 2015 to elevate its service-based value proposition.

CROSSMARK exec named CEO at WIS

The retail inventory specialist firm WIS International named merchandising and marketing services veteran Jim Rose as its new president and CEO.

Rose most recently served as president of marketing services at CROSSMARK, a leading provider of marketing and merchandising services. Rose also previously served as chairman and CEO for Mosaic Sales Solutions and also held senior roles at The Nielsen Company and MPG, a global advertising and communications company.
Macy’s views omnichannel as Q4 advantage

Macy’s third quarter sales were lower than expected but the company still managed to grow profits by 30% and expressed optimism regarding the fourth quarter.

The department store retailer said same store sales declined 0.7% while total sales declined 1.3% to slightly less than $6.2 billion during the third quarter ended Nov. 1. Net income increased 22.5% to $217 million while earnings per share, aided by the repurchase of nine million shares, increased 30% to 61 cents a share.
Lowe’s leans on new IBM and JDA offering

IBM and JDA Software Group have developed an integrated omnichannel supply chain solution to help retailers address what today is arguably the greatest operational challenge facing most retailers.
Shopko takes different approach with Thanksgiving

Regional discounter Shopko is employing an unconventional strategy concerning Thanksgiving store hours.
Five days of deals at Walmart

Walmart continues to expand its view of Black Friday and is encouraging shoppers to do the same by rethinking the practice of waiting in line on Black Friday to secure limited quantities of merchandise.
A.C. Moore looks to do more with Marines

Arts and Crafts retailer A.C. Moore launched its inaugural campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation with a program involving all its stores.

The company’s 140 locations will serve as official drop off locations for the program with every toy donated going to a child in the local community. In addition, the company has pledged to donate 25,000 toys and is asking its customers to help double the donation with an additional 25,000 toys to provide a total of 50,000 toys to kids this holiday season.
Report: Retailers unprepared for rise in mobile shoppers

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Mobile shopping is expected to reach new highs this holiday season, but retailers aren’t prepared to meet customers’ mobile needs, according to a new CFI Group study, sponsored by eBay Enterprise.
Founding officer of Costco dies at 72

Issaquah, Wash. -- Robert Craves, 72, a founding officer of Costco, died last week shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, The Seattle Times reported.
Alibaba reports $9.3 billion in sales on China’s “Singles Day” sales event

New York -- Alibaba Group Holding Limited announced that it hosted $9.3 billion in sales on China’s “Singles Day,” an annual sales event held on Nov. 11.

The E-commerce giant said that 43 of all Singles Day transactions came through mobile devices, up from 21% in 2013.
REI names its first-ever chief creative officer

Seattle -- Outdoor outfitter REI has added a chief creative officer slot, and hired Ben Steele to fill the position, effective Jan. 1. Steele most recently served as executive creative director at global brand firm Hornall Anderson in Seattle.