News

The trajectory of gift card sales is a true testament to their importance at given points in the calendar. Smart retailers have ramped up their gift card offerings both in the store and online; and from the recipients’ point of view, we know from our consumer research that gift cards rank as the No. 1 preferred holiday gift, and have done so for the last eight years — above and beyond any other gift — because they offer customers unlimited selection, pure convenience and personal choice.

Enter promotions

Last week, my retail technology-related travels took me closer to home than usual – to Boston, the city where I was born and still live within a reasonable drive. I visited the old homestead to attend the official opening of the CVS Health’s new Digital Innovation Lab. CVS officials did a fine job explaining the mission of the lab and giving the audience a sneak peek at some of their work.

The Walmart Foundation is making a big statement in support of free school meal and education programs.

The organization will give away $15.5 million in grants to seven national nonprofits to support free meal and nutrition education programs this summer and throughout the school year. The programs in more than 7,700 communities across the country will help over 1 million low-income children and their families gain access to critical meals and teach them how to cook and eat healthy together.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cypress Equities, the management company for Brookwood Village, announced its plans for updating the interior of the two-level shopping center that straddles the communities of Homewood and Mountain Brook.

With sales of its online channel approaching $4 billion, the Home Depot is heavily engaged in making goods flow through that channel more smoothly.

New York — Less drama and fewer flipflops — those were some of the changes at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s annual meeting on Thursday, Columbus Business First reports. It was the first annual gathering since longtime, controversial CEO Michael Jefferies left the company. For the full story, click here. 

T.J.Maxx has come up with a creative way to encourage shoppers to support children in need.

The retailer is launching the "Maxx Kids Art Contest" to support organizations that help children in need reach their full potential, such as Save the Children. Winning artwork will appear on future products sold in T.J.Maxx stores that will benefit children in need. In addition, all winners will receive a $250 savings bond.

Los Angeles – Fast casual pizza chain PIzzaRev has launched the delivery of online and mobile orders through Postmates, on-demand delivery service. The partnership ensures PizzaRev customers a flat $4.99 delivery fee, and the service is currently available for seven PizzaRev restaurants in the greater Los Angeles market.