News

Stores fail to deliver the goods
Oakland, Calif. – Stores are apparently failing to deliver the goods when it comes to providing customers the products they want, when they want them. New research from supply chain technology provider GT Nexus shows that 75% of U.S. adults have found a product unavailable in a store in the past 12 months.

And 38% of U.S. adults experienced in-store stock-outs often or very often in the past 12 months.
Holiday shopping is starting earlier than ever
A new study seems to support the theory that holiday shopping is often starting earlier than commonly thought, especially online.

GameStop scores big on social engagement

GameStop is known for innovative promotions, but now the specialty retailer has made social marketing personal with its latest Summer at GameStop event.

The retailer has announced the winners of Summer at GameStop, a five-week social engagement and contest series aimed at gamers who shared their personal stories on how video gaming brings fans together to create unique friendships and lifelong relationships - and brought longtime friends together from across the country in the process.
Amazon CEO blasts report on 'abusive' workplace

The CEO of Amazon.com is hitting back against an article in the New York Times over the weekend that accuses the retailer of having a ruthless and even abusive workplace culture.

According to CNBC, an internal memo (excerpt below) from CEO Jeff Bezos being circulated at Amazon.com calls the article inaccurate and beyond “isolated anecdotes.” Bezos also made the rounds on newspaper websites and on cable TV lambasting the Times article as "not the Amazon" he knows.
Three Thoughts on Real-Time Consumer Product Interactions

I recently participated in an SAP-sponsored panel discussion on Game-Changers Radio about how consumer product companies are using real-time consumer insights and engagement. Buoyed by constant customer connectivity, consumer product firms are gaining a much clearer and timelier picture of their end customers, and also directly engaging them near or in real time.
Domino’s promotes omnichannel ordering across channels
Report: Amazon considering yet another delivery method

Seattle – Amazon.com has no shortage of innovative ideas on connecting customers to the products they buy, and reportedly is considering yet another new delivery method. According to GeekWire, Amazon has filed a patent application to use public transportation to help get goods to customers.
Urban Outfitters beats Street with Q2 profit

Philadelphia – Although net income at Urban Outfitters Inc. slightly slipped in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the same period a year earlier, it still beat Wall Street expectations. Net income totaled $66.84 million, down 1% from $67.5 million.
Head merchant at Cabela's is stepping aside

Sporting goods retailer Cabela’s is making some changes in its executive leadership.

The company announced that Brian J. Linneman, EVP and CMO, will transition from his current position and become a strategic adviser to the company.
QVC adds some hipster cred with acquisition

QVC just gained some credibility among hipsters and millennials by buying a popular Internet flash sale site that caters to those younger shoppers.