News

Dick's debuts ad campaign targeting women
Dick's Sporting Goods is targeting fitness-minded women with an all-new video campaign.

The retailer has begun airing eight 15-second commercial spots and one 60-second spot on sites such as Hulu, ESPN and ESPNW, and on May 15, the commercials will debut on TV. The company says these ads are the first to target women specifically under Dick's Sporting Goods’ broader “Who Will You Be?” campaign, which launched in March.
Web revenue generated from smartphones rising
Pittsburgh - Revenue from shoppers on smartphones rose 73% over the last year, according to a new report from Branding Brand's Mobile Commerce Index released Wednesday. In April 2015, smartphone revenue accounted for 13% of total online revenue, which represented a 63% year-over-year increase.

Staples matches up with Microsoft on new program

Staples and Microsoft are launching an innovative program that pairs customers with the right Windows device to suit their needs.

The new program is called Microsoft Match and be available exclusively on www.staples.com/microsoftmatch and in select Staples stores.
Hhgregg honors heroes with omnichannel campaign

Hhgregg is partnering with Maytag once again on an omnichannel giveaway that honors everyday American heroes.

The retailer and appliance-maker will honor 10 deserving Americans who have had a profound impact on their community. Each hero will receive a free Maytag appliance and an Hhgregg gift card to thank them for their commitment. Additionally, hhgregg and Maytag brand are giving away appliances every day in May at hhgregg.com.
PetSmart hosts national adoption weekend

Spring is in full swing, and PetSmart wants its customers to celebrate new beginnings by adopting a new pet.

The retailer will be hosting a national adoption weekend between May 15 and May 17 at all PetSmart stores. More than 3,000 animal welfare organizations will be on-site at all 1,400 PetSmart stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to help customers find the perfect furry companion.
Educating Consumers About EMV is a Community Effort

By Bobby Koscheski, ACI Worldwide

EMV compliance is coming and when it hits, it will change the way payments happen across America. Today, when consumers make non-cash purchases at any number of their favorite merchants in the U.S., they stand in front of payment terminals, swipe their cards and follow the on-screen prompts. EMV will require new payment processes that, while seemingly small to those instituting the change, require a shift in behavior that could feel monumental to consumers.
Early Easter takes bite out April sales

New York -- An early Easter that drew shoppers into stores in March and slowing economic growth helped cut into retailers’ April sales results.

At Costco Wholesale Corp., April same-store sales were flat, slightly below analysts’ estimates, primarily due to the strong U.S. dollar and lower gas prices. Sales at U.S. stores increased 2% for the four weeks ended May 3. Internationally, sales fell 4%.

Total revenue inched up 2% to $8.75 billion.
H&M to open its largest store ever in N.Y.

H&M is making a big statement in Manhattan.

The Swedish fast fashion retailer will open its largest store in the world, in Manhattan’s Herald Center, on May 20.
Schnuck Markets to build state-of-art DC

St. Louis -- Schnuck Markets will begin construction of a new estimated $100 million, state-of-the-art distribution center at NorthPark in Kinloch in north St. Louis County. The 915,000-sq.-ft. center is expected to be completed in summer 2016.
Conn's dragged down by ports dispute, tight credit

Supply chain disruptions from the West Coast port labor dispute and tighter underwriting for its in-house consumer credit curbed same-store sales at Conn’s in the first quarter.