News

Sherwin-Williams launches colorful omnichannel program
Cleveland – Sherwin-Williams is launching a colorful omnichannel program designed to ease the process of selecting paint colors. Called ColorSnap, it integrates online and offline tools and includes a new in-store display.
Amazon.com gets boozy in Seattle
Not only is Amazon.com launching its one-hour Prime Now delivery service in its hometown of Seattle, but it's also adding a whole new category of deliverable products.

The retailer announced Tuesday it will add wine, beer and spirits to its assortment of eligible products for Prime Now delivery.

Seattle becomes the first U.S. city to include alcohol in the assortment of products eligible for the quick-delivery service.

Sordid retail drama headed to off-Broadway

New York -- Coming soon: a theatrical spin on the drama surrounding American Apparel and its controversial founder and ousted CEO Dov Charney.

The play, entitled “Unseamly,” is due to make its off-Broadway debut on October 8, at the Urban Stages theatre. The drama, which first ran in Montreal in 2014, was written by Oren Safdie a first cousin of Charney. (Safdie has had several plays produced off-Broadway).
For back-to-school, Lands' End also offers parenting advice

Just in time for back-to-school, Lands' End has a new partner for bringing moms and dads the latest information on parenting and child development, enabling them to get back into the new school year with ease.

The retailer is teaming up with the Child Mind Institute to create digital content that helps parents raise strong, compassionate and curious kids.
Finish Line running with a new partner

Indianapolis -- Two of the nation’s largest athletic brands are teaming up.

The Finish Line has joined with Puma for the launch an in-store shop concept called the Puma edge at Finish Line.

Finish Line will open 10 initial Puma shops within targeted retail locations across the country and online at FinishLine.com in August. The experience includes expanded product offerings with a unique approach to marketing and content creation designed specifically to connect the Puma brand to the Finish Line consumer.
Target to pay millions in hiring discrimination case

Target Corp. has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve a hiring discrimination claim filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
10 Tactics to Improve the Shopper Experience

An altered retail landscape and new consumer are remaking the shopper journey and path-to-purchase. Here are 10 tactics to improve the shopper experience that every retailer needs to know:

1. Bridge the online to offline experience: Expectations are high; online shoppers seek a personalized and efficient experience. Customers now expect price consistency across channels, the ability to buy online and pick up or return in store and a range of payment options.
Best Buy beats Street in electrifying Q2

Minneapolis – For the second quarter in a row, Best Buy Co. Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue with large-screen TVs and mobile phones providing a major boost to its results.

Best Buy reported net income of $164 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, up 12% from $146 million the same period the previous fiscal year.
What retailers can learn from the Smithsonian

What could a 169-year old federal institution responsible for millions of the country’s most important artifacts, history and information possibly teach the retail industry? Plenty it seems.
Report: Amazon planning a direct pickup option

Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly planning to offer customers a new option for directly picking up orders.

According to GeekWire, Amazon is currently testing the service, called Amazon Flex, in its Kirkland, Washington, distribution facility.

A sign inside the facility instructs Amazon Flex users to take a ticket with a number, look for the number to be displayed, and then pick up their package. Amazon has not discussed exactly how Flex would work, or when or where it may roll out.