News

Digitally-influenced sales at physical stores to reach $2.2T
Digital interactions are expected to influence 64 cents of every dollar spent in retail stores by the end of 2015, or $2.2 trillion, according to Deloitte.
Macy’s falls short in Q1; to open 32 new stores by 2018
Cincinnati -- Bad weather, decreased spending by international tourists due to the strong U.S. dollar and delayed merchandise shipments from the West Coast port slowdown all contributed to Macy’s missing Wall Street projections for profit and revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell 13% to $193 million, from $224 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Net sales dropped about 1% to $6.23 million, from $6.28 million. Same-store sales declined 0.7%.

Not your mother's outlet shopping experience

The brick-and-mortar shopping experience is getting a social makeover at Tanger Factory Outlet Centers.

This year Tanger will open four new shopping centers across the country. During each of these grand opening weekends, Tanger will be merging the traditional shopping experience with the excitement of social interaction though three social media activations.
Century 21 upgrades enterprise with Mi9

New York - Century 21 Department Store has selected Mi9 Retail to replace its current enterprise systems. The retailer was in need of a merchandising and analytics system that would streamline business operations.
Macy’s misses bad, excuses abound

Macy’s Chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren offered plenty of reasons why the company’s first quarter sales were worse than expected – but also noted the confluence of factors that caused the disappointing results are largely behind the company.
Survey: American consumers like giving at the register

Austin, Texas – Americans are known for their generosity, and that stereotype holds true when they go shopping. A new survey of 3,030 U.S. consumers across all ages by social responsibility firm Good Scout, “Change at the Checkout,” shows that 71% of respondents have donated to charity at the register.

Consumers surveyed listed “charity brand recognition” as the number one reason they feel compelled to give to charity at the register. The second leading reason is personal connection to the cause.
Wal-Mart, Alibaba partner on mobile payment in China

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is partnering with the Alipay payment services subsidiary of Alibaba Holding Group to offer a new mobile payment option in some Chinese Wal-Mart locations. Customers at 25 Wal-Mart stores in the Chinese city of Shenzhen in southern China are now able to use the Alipay mobile wallet to pay for purchases.
13 is lucky number for U.S. retailers in Canada

On the heels of Walmart's decision to acquire 13 Target locations in Canada comes an announcement from Lowe's, which has also decided to acquire 13 Target Canada leases as well as distribution center in Ontario.

The deal is worth about $125 million.
Homebase personalizes shopping with IBM Commerce

London – U.K. home and garden retailer Homebase is using IBM Commerce to provide more personalized shopping experiences by integrating in-store, online and mobile channels.

As a result, Homebase has achieved double-digit sales growth in all digital sales channels and a 30% increase in online visitors. With more than 40% of its customers now visiting online, Homebase collaborated with IBM to help redesign how its digital channels could offer more help, advice and inspiration.
Roark Capital Group acquires Pet Supermarket

The owner of Corner Bakery, Arby’s and Batteries Plus, among other national retailers, has acquired Pet Supermarket.

Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group says Pet Supermarket will remain headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., and continue to be led by CEO Diane Holtz. Pet Supermarket operates 155 pet specialty retail stores in 11 states generating over $300 million of revenue.