News

NRF: Sales look a little less rosy
Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is now a little less rosy in its sales expectations for 2015. The NRF has lowered its full-year retail sales forecast because of unexpected slow growth recorded during the first half of the year, similar to the industry’s experience in 2014.

However, NRF still expects sales will steadily increase through the remainder of the year. NRF forecasted in February that retail sales would grow 4.1% in 2015 from 2014, but today’s revision lowers the forecast to 3.5%.
Amazon Home Service expands in major metros
Amazon Home Services has expanded the number of providers and the services they offer in 15 metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose and Washington, D.C.

The move adds to existing availability in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Amazon Home Services now includes over 15 million unique services across more than 900 professional services, the Seattle-based company said.

Report: Jet.com flies below Amazon, Wal-Mart prices

Hoboken, N.J. – New membership-based Jet.com officially took off into wide rollout on July 21, and initial pricing analysis shows it is flying beneath competitors Amazon.com and Wal-Mart when it comes to what customers are paying.
Alibaba stays busy

Hangzhou, China – If idle hands are the tool of the devil, then Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba Holding Group Inc. has very righteous hands. Alibaba is staying busy with a new plan to protect cloud data and new cloud solutions, as well as partnerships to provide e-commerce logistics and online sourcing.
Wayfair launches campaign with HGTV stars

One of the hottest new shows on HGTV is "Fixer Upper," and now Wayfair is looking to leverage some of that popularity by using the stars of the show in a new ad campaign.
Want a Neiman Marcus gift card? Sell some stuff

Dallas – Neiman Marcus shoppers who want to get a gift card can now give a little something to receive one. Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. is partnering with luxury consignment provider The RealReal in a new program that offers consignors payment in Neiman Marcus gift cards with an extra 10% added to the value of their payout.
Men's Wearhouse enlists NFL, NBA to promote suit drive

Men's Wearhouse is enlisting the professional sports community to rally fans and reach a lofty goal for its eighth annual National Suit Drive.
Bassett Furniture names Ethan Allen exec as store development

Bassett, Va. - Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. has named Ann Zaccaria has joined the organization as VP, real estate and new store development. She will be responsible for site selection, lease negotiation and store planning for new Bassett retail locations.

Zaccaria served as VP, real estate with Ethan Allen Interiors for the last 22 years.

Bassett Furniture is a manufacturer and marketer of mid-priced home furnishings with 92 company- and licensee-owned stores.
City Sports makes omnichannel personal

Boston – City Sports is making things personal with its omnichannel customers. The specialty sporting goods retailer is leveraging technology from BlueConic to help the company offer a more personalized shopping experience across channels.
Report: Williams-Sonoma looks to smoke the BBQ competition

The quest for innovation in the retail industry often requires unconventional partnerships, as Williams Sonoma has proven with its new Harvard smoker.

The retailer tasked one of Harvard University's engineering classes to come up with a better way to barbecue and smoke meats. In the end, a team of students invented a smoker that can eliminate hot spots and keep a constant and precise low temperature both in the smoker and the meat itself. The retailer is now is in the process of developing and producing the unit, which could retail for under $1,000.