News

From mobile tech-savvy teens to the octogenarian shopper, retailers are perhaps for the first time ever addressing the widest and most diverse customer set in history. With life expectancy in the United States at an all-time high, the economy in an upswing and more people connected than ever before through smart phones and smart jewelry, retailers are marketing to increasingly wider and diverging audiences.  

Whole Foods, which is known for luxurious produce departments and an exhaustive assortment of natural foods, is adding "brewery" to its list of offerings.

The grocery chain has been opening brewpubs at select stores throughout the U.S. The beers have been so popular with shoppers that the retailer plans to distribute one of its beers to all of its Texas stores starting in September. 

Seattle -- Amazon continues to expand its already formidable fulfillment center.

The online giant plans to open a nearly 500,000-sq.-ft. center in Joliet, Illinois. The site, which will create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens, is the company’s first in the state.

Retailers know the power of social media in influencing customer attitudes, but how many of them change their merchandising strategy seemingly based on one tweet?

New York -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has entered into its biggest deal ever — and this one is in the brick-and-mortar arena.
 
The Internet giant has invested approximately $4.63 billion in Chinese consumer electronics retailer Suning, which operates more than 1,600 stores across 289 cities in China. The investment gives Alibaba a 19.9% stake, making it the second largest shareholder in the company.

In return, Suning will invest up to $2.28 billion to subscribe to new shares of Alibaba.

With New York Fashion Week right around the corner, Macy's is planning a catwalk show of its own to close out the biggest fashion week of the year.

The retailer announced that it will host “Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row” on Sept. 17 in New York City, featuring celebrities, musical acts and a runway show. 

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is always coming up with inventive and innovative products to appeal to its core shoppers, but this time the retailer is marking a first in the industry.

IKEA announced it will become the first major global retailer to offer a 100% LED light bulb assortment. In a bid to make its products more sustainable, the retailer will switch all of its available bulbs to LED bulbs by the end of September.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General is upping its commitment to beauty with an expanded lineup of products and an in-store beauty magazine.

The retailer presented its inaugural A Day of Beauty event at the Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom, in downtown Nashville, on Aug. 8.