News

ShopperTrak: Back-to-school trends and insights
Chicago -- Positive economic, retail and consumer trends are setting the stage for a positive back-to-school season, according to consumer insights and location-based analytics provider ShopperTrak.

A new infographic from the company details key trends and also reveals the important role millennials will play in back-to-school shopping.
Japanese retail powerhouse and U.S. entertainment giant: Perfect together
New York -- Uniqlo, the fast-growing fast-fashion division of Japan’s Fast Retailing, is expanding its relationship with Disney Consumer Products. The retailer has even chosen a Disney property as the site of its first store in Florida.

Uniqlo on Monday announced a global collaboration with Disney Consumer Products to produce a new line called “Magic for All.” In addition to new products, the collaboration will include pop-up displays, and in-store and online customer experiences.

Alibaba creates social media platform with NBA star

Hangzhou, China – Alibaba is launching an omnichannel partnership with one of professional basketball’s biggest stars. Alibaba Holding Group Inc. and Kobe Inc., a newly formed company by NBA player Kobe Bryant, will collaborate with Chinese media company Sina to create a new social media platform.
Barnes & Noble's education unit has big digital plans

Just in time for back-to-school season, Barnes & Noble's college bookstore division, which just separated from the the larger books and games retailer, is looking to acquire digital services to speed its growth.
Jet.com fuels dynamic pricing with Microsoft Azure

Hoboken, N.J. – Newly launched Amazon rival Jet.com promises to deliver the lowest prices available online through a dynamic pricing system that constantly scans the Internet for the best possible deals.
Publix still has the winning recipe

While Whole Foods and other food retailers struggle against increasingly stiff competition, Publix seems to be answering potential threats to its business with ease, if the company's second quarter results are any indication.
Whole Foods puts tech chief on exec team

The importance of technology is highlighted in a promotion at Whole Foods Market.
Charming Charlie turns to Oracle to keep up with growth

Houston - When consumer demand for the latest trends surges, fashion retailers must move quickly to engage with shoppers and ensure they have the right product mix on the shelves. The fast-growing women’s accessory retailer Charming Charlie has met widespread consumer demand with an upgrade to Oracle Retail Merchandising solutions to support both its immediate needs and its international expansion plans.
Ingles profit stays flat in Q3

Asheville, N.C. – Profit stayed essentially flat at Ingles Markets Inc. for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Ingles reported net income of $13.78 million, compared to $13.83 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Lower interest and income tax expenses helped Ingles keep profits steady in the face of net sales declining 3% to $945.97 million, from $978.26 million. Declining gasoline prices negatively impacted sales.
JCP in omnichannel overdrive with Target, Home Depot hires

J.C. Penney just poached two key executives to maximize the power, reach and integration of its omnichannel efforts.

The department store retailer named Michael Amend, former vice president of online, mobile and omnichannel for Home Depot, to the position of executive vice president of omnichannel effective immediately. He fills a position previously held by Mike Rodgers who left the company. Additionally, Mike Robbins, formerly the senior vice president of global supply chain for Target, will be joining the J.C. Penney as senior vice president of supply chain effective Aug. 10.