News

Women in Factories training funded by Walmart
The Walmart Foundation increased to $10 million its investment in an educational program on track to provide training to 60,000 women in 150 factories.

The increased funding commitment to the Women in Factories program begun in 2011 was announced in Beijing by Scott Price, CEO of Walmart Asia at the 2014 APEC CEO Summit. The Women in Factories program has already provided training to 40,000 female factory workers and by the end of 2016 the figure is expected to increase to 60,000 women at factories in India, Bangladesh, China, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Rue21 experiments with plus size offering
Teen specialty retailer Rue21 has launched a new juniors plus size division called Rue+ the company said its customers have been asking for.

The Rue+ division is intended to serve as a destination for trendy yet affordable plus size apparel and accessories that will inspire and empower plus sized girls to feel confident in how they look, according to the company. The product offering will be available at Rue21.com and in 22 of the company’s 1,100 stores nationwide.

Sport Authority to open on Thanksgiving

For the second year in a row, Sports Authority said most of its stores would open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
If the app fits, wear it

Stride has developed a new app called RiteFit that allows an iPad to be used as a device to accurately determine a child’s shoe size.
Early access and 10% off gift cards at Target

Customers at Target are being given expanded opportunities to engage with the retailer this holiday season thanks to extended hours and early access to promotional offers.
Are you talking to me?

Recently, I participated in a strategic conference that included several sessions on how to effectively use advertising and promotion to reach moms, millennials, multiculturals and other shopper segments. Not surprisingly, significant emphasis was placed on the use of emerging digital and mobile media. But each session also reinforced that traditional media including television, radio, retail feature ads, and Free Standing Insert (FSI) coupons should not be undervalued.
Fastenal CEO to resign

New York -- The CEO of Fastenal, Willard Oberton, will resign from the 2,700 store chain, effective Dec. 31. Oberton, 56, will remain chairman of the company and continue to be actively involved in strategic planning and performance measurements.
Amazon launches voice-recognition device, Echo

New York -- Amazon has quietly launched another hardware device, a voice-recognition device called Echo that doubles as a high-tech music speaker. The 9-inch tall cylinder device sells for $199 but is available for $99 for a limited time to Prime members. It is designed around the user’s voice, which it can hear from across a room.
RadioShack’s “Weird” holiday ad

New York -- RadioShack has brought on rock parody singer Weird Al Yankovich to star in a holiday ad. Yankovic is appearing in the chain's holiday campaign called "Gift Smart.” In the spot, he sings his own unique take on the holiday song “Toyland.”
Study: Retailers will apply Big Data analytics on front end

London, U.K. -- Analytics will be applied in front-end as well as back-end applications in retail. According to a new study from Frost & Sullivan, the aim of every retailer is to integrate data from multiple channels to provide an omnichannel experience for the customer.
Call for Entries: Chain Store Age’s Retail Store of the Year Design Competition

New York --Chain Store Age invites retailers, design firms, architects and suppliers to submit entires for its 33rd annual Retail Store of the Year design competition. For more information and an entry form, click here.
Toys ‘R Us details holiday omnichannel moves; to open 5 p.m. Thanksgiving

Wayne, N.J. – Toys ‘R Us Inc. on Friday announced an array of holiday marketing initiatives along with the news that its stores will open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, Nov. 27, the same time as 2013, and will remain open through 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, offering doorbusters and deals.