News

Can Ellen be the next Martha?
When it comes to domestic divas, Martha Stewart has few rivals, but Ellen DeGeneres is dipping her toe in the water with a new seasonal home collection branded as E.D. On Air.

The popular comedian and talk show host announced the creation of her new lifestyle collection in July called simply E.D. The new seasonal home collection is called E.D. On Air because it was created exclusively for QVC. It will debut on Friday, October 8 when DeGeneres introduces the line live on her show.
Holmes to help women be beautiful
Procter & Gamble has introduced a new ad campaign for its Olay brand featuring Katie Holmes in which the actress encourages woman to be their best beautiful.

Created in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi New York, Holmes encourages women around the world to be their best beautiful – in their lives and their skincare while featuring Regenerist and other Olay products.

Best Buy creates Intel brand zones

Fifty Best Buy stores nationwide have launched new interactive departments branded as, “The Intel Experience.”

What makes the initiative interesting is that Intel is a brand that powers many consumers electronics devices, but it isn’t a brand consumer directly seek out the way they do Samsung, Apple or LG.
Tea is the new coffee as Bigelow boost caffeine content

Tea drinkers longing for a stronger wake-up brew and coffee drinkers wanting to add variety to their repertoire of caffeinated beverages now have options.
Black Friday get even blacker this year

A delayed start to the shopping season is causing consumers to postpone their holiday purchases until Thanksgiving weekend, according to the 2014 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from global information company The NPD Group.
Walmart slows physical expansion in U.S.

A much anticipated acceleration of small format Walmart stores failed to materialize on Wednesday when the retailer announced plans to curtail domestic new store growth in 2016.
Ann in non-disclosure agreement with Golden Gate Capital

New York -- Ann Inc., parent of Ann Taylor and Loft, said Tuesday it has entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Golden Gate Capital to provide certain non-public information with the private equity firm. Golden Gate disclosed in a filing in March it bought a 9.5% stake in the women's clothing retailer. Ann said it has been engaged in a "collaborative, constructive" dialogue with Golden Gate since March.
The Wet Seal in cost-cutting mode, announces headcount reductions

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal announced a workforce reduction resulting in the elimination of a combination of 78 filled and open positions, including 66 positions at the company’s corporate office, or a 24% reduction in headcount, and 12 positions at the field management level, representing a 20% decrease. The cuts are the first steps in the retailer’s initiative to reduce its overall cost structure.
The Finish Line enhances omnichannel efforts with new customer loyalty mobile app

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line has launced a new mobile app aimed at providing services and conveniences that reward members of its Winners Circle loyalty program with points and loyalty perks. The chain teamed with IBM and IBM Business partner PointSource on the development of the app, which was designed using the IBM MobileFirst application development portfolio to capture the attention of sports enthusiasts and provide a rewarding user experience.
SAP Retail Forum—Brooks Brothers transforms IT environment

New York –- Brooks Brothers is currently one-third of the way through an IT transformation based on SAP technology. In a presentation and also in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Chain Store Age at the recent SAP Retail Forum in New York, Sahal S. Laher, executive VP/global CIO of Brooks Brothers, explained how the retailer is becoming a more customer-focused organization.
REI’s new mobile app offers snow reports

New York -- REI has launched a news mobile app that allows users to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations. The recently introduced iPad app offers an optimized shopping and product research experience and gives users access to a broad and inspiring product selection of the top brands in camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, skiing, fitness and more.
Survey: Retailers use competitive data for pricing

Austin, Texas –- Retailers are in agreement about using competitive data for pricing. According to a new survey of more than 100 retailers by merchandise optimization provider Revionics Inc., 100% of respondents integrate some form of competitive data into their pricing.