News

Toys"R"Us, Kohl's look to fill more than 100,000 holiday jobs
Kohl’s and Toys"R"Us are among the first retailers to announce their holiday hiring plans this year, and the numbers are more or less the same as last year for both companies.

Toys”R”Us plans to hire 40,000 employees at its stores and distribution centers throughout the country (about 5,000 less than last year). The retailer also plans to allow seasonal workers the opportunity to take on significantly more hours than in previous years, while also continuing to provide extra hours to current employees.
Study: Most Americans online, mobile
As statistical revelations go, the fact most Americans use the Internet and mobile phones is not especially surprising, but still significant for omnichannel retailers.

According to the latest Global Media Intelligence Report from eMarketer, 80.8% of the U.S. population, or nearly 260 million people, will go online at least once a month in 2015.

Burlington Stores shines a light on blood cancer

Burlington Stores is taking the lead on raising awareness of blood cancer with an in-store donation drive and employee program.

The retailer is launching its 14th consecutive company-wide campaign today in all its stores nationwide, encouraging its customers to make a donation at checkout to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society now through Dec. 2.
Target looking for a few good tech start-ups

Target Corp. has operated an innovation lab in San Francisco since 2013, but now the retailer is eyeing a more accelerated and outward-focused approach to innovation.

In collaboration with Boulder, Colorado-based startup accelerator Techstars, Target is creating a new retail accelerator program that will launch next year in Minneapolis.
Analysis: Target Partners With Instacart As Home Delivery Heats Up

The latest posting from the McMillanDoolittle blog:

Target announced a partnership with Instacart in Target’s hometown of Minneapolis. This is Target’s first experiment with same-day delivery of products, and it coincides with the expansion of their grocery and fresh business.
Men’s Wearhouse brings acquired company’s warehouse up to speed

Retail acquisitions are never easy, and generally involve significant systems and process overhauls.

The June 2014 purchase of Jos. A. Bank by The Men’s Wearhouse is no exception, as evidenced by its recent upgrade of Jos. A. Bank’s warehouse management.
Survey: Lower gas prices not pumping up consumer optimism

Lower gas prices are not significantly altering consumer behavior, according to the latest Consumer Fuels Survey results released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Although drivers report that the national median gas price fell 25 cents per gallon in the past month and 60 cents per gallon since July, only 22% of consumers say that they will drive more over the coming month and only 15% say that they will spend more on other non-fuels items in the coming month.
Target picks L.A. as innovation hub

Twenty-five Los Angeles-area Target stores will be the crucible of innovating its shopping experience, the company announced Wednesday on its blog, A Bullseye View.
Report details four ways retailers build customer loyalty

There are four key elements that sustain a customer’s loyalty over the long term (and price is not one of them), according to the newest research from Synchrony Financial.

According to Synchrony Financial’s 2015 Customer Experience and Impact Study, which examines 27 elements of the shopping experience, four experiences stand out as most valued by customers and translate into greater spend and loyalty for retailers.
Lower gas prices not helping retailers

Lower gas prices are not significantly altering consumer behavior, according to the latest Consumer Fuels Survey results released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Although drivers report that the national median gas price fell 25 cents per gallon in the past month and 60 cents per gallon since July, only 22% of consumers say that they will drive more over the coming month and only 15% say that they will spend more on other non-fuels items in the coming month.