News

Target, Sports Authority to carry folding bikes
Target and Sports Authority are getting into the folding bike business, one of the fastest-growing segments in the $6 billion U.S. bike market.

The retail giants are adding Durban Bikes to their sporting goods assortment. “The demand for folding bikes is growing rapidly, and we’ve received immediate and enthusiastic interest in our product lineup,” said David White, managing director of Durban Bikes.
Survey: Frequency, delight important indicators of customer loyalty
Hackensack, N.J. – Frequency of customer visits and customer delight are crucial indicators of customer loyalty. According to a new survey of 1,000 adult U.S. consumers from branding firm Strativity Group Inc., almost 40% of customers interact with their favorite company at least weekly.

Meijer creates garden oasis in-store

Meijer has partnered with Scotts-MiracleGro to create an unprecedented lawn and garden section in its stores, just in time for the spring gardening season.

Meijer is the first supercenter to partner with the national lawn care and garden brand to create a Garden Marketplace inside 27 Meijer stores across the Midwest as peak gardening season begins.
Report: Abercrombie focusing on customers, cleaning up brand image

New Albany, Ohio – Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is overhauling both how its stores operate and how it markets its brand image. According to the Columbus Business Journal, Abercrombie will focus on the in-store customer experience with features like order-in-store technology and techniques to keep lines short.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Margin-Friendly Promos That Convert

By Melanie Curtin, OpiaTalk

Promotions, discounts, and coupons, oh my! It’s easy to have a love/hate relationship with them. On the one hand, they’re proven to bring in business and boost conversions. On the other, they can cut into margins.

It’s often assumed that the bigger the promotion, the better it will convert. But what if it’s not about the promotion itself? What if it’s more about the delivery?
Report: Jeffries left Abercrombie with $27 million

New Albany, Ohio – Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., reportedly did not walk away empty-handed when he retired from the company in December 2014. According to the Columbus Business Journal, Jeffries obtained at least $27 million in cash and other benefits.
QVC customers can watch on Apple Watch

West Chester, Pa. - QVC customers can now watch the omnichannel retailer’s content on their Apple Watch. The new QVC for Apple Watch app will sync with and extend the functionality of the QVC app for iPhone.
GameStop wants to give power to employee scholars

As retailers feel the pressure to raise wages for employees, GameStop is focusing on education by giving staffers an incentive to enter the classroom.

GameStop is launching a new scholarship for its employees that would allow them or their children to go to college. The program is called “Power to the Scholars,” a reference to the “Power to the Players” slogan the company has popularized over the years.
The Apple Watch is here

Cupertino, Calif. – Tech geeks rejoice: the Apple Watch from Apple Inc. is here. From a retail perspective, the device Apple Inc. calls “our most personal device yet” offers new ways to engage consumers, who are obtaining new ways to stay digitally connected.
Books-A-Million writes a new chapter

Books-A-Million Inc. is entering the self-publishing market, taking on the CreateSpace service from Amazon as well as numerous other self-publishing companies.