News

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.
Report: Luxottica to revive Google Glass
Milan, Italy – Google Glass may not be dead, after all. According to the Wall Street Journal, global vertical eyewear retailer Luxottica Group is partnering with Google to release a new version of Google Glass in the near future.

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.
Amazon swings to Q1 loss on higher expenses; Web Services booms

Seattle – Increases in expenses including fulfillment, marketing and technology helped swing Amazon.com to a net loss of $57 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from net income of $108 million the same quarter a year earlier. Amazon met Wall Street expectations with the loss.

Amazon fared better with net sales, which increased 15% to $22.72 billion from $19.74 billion. In North America, net sales grew 24% to $13.41 billion from $10.08 billion.
Report: Net-A-Porter partners with Harper’s for interactive mobile ad

London – Net-A-Porter is reportedly partnering with Harper’s Bazaar on an interactive ad. According to Luxury Daily, Net-A-Porter’s display ad on the Harper’s mobile site lets consumers type in a keyword that will help personalize the landing page they go to.

Predictive text helps consumers more quickly fill in the keyword. They are then brought to a customized landing page with products relating to their keyword.
Report: Sears Canada reacts to Target exit

Toronto – Sears Canada Inc. is reportedly reducing some departments while expanding others in a move to capitalize on the retreat of Target from the Canadian retail landscape. According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, Sears Canada plans to stop selling electronics altogether while also reducing its tool and hardware assortment by more than 50%.
Books-A-Million enters self-publishing market

Birmingham, Ala. – 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. The retailer has introduced BAM! Publishing DIY, a website where authors can create, edit and publish their own book.
Kay Jewelers creates a perfect Mother's Day promotion

Kay Jewelers has launched an innovative jewelry collection designed to drive traffic to its stores this Mother’s Day.

The retailer has created Miracle Links, a jewelry collection designed with interlinking circles to symbolize the special bond between a mother and her child, now available in select Kay Jewelers stores nationwide and on Kay.com.
Sainsbury’s increases transportation accuracy with Paragon

London - J Sainsbury PLC is increasing transportation productivity through enhanced accuracy. Sixteen Sainsbury’s depots are using an integrated transport management system from Paragon Software, which integrates Paragon’s planning optimization with wireless communications to enhance the accuracy and execution of each day's complex transport plans.
The Great One joins Sears Canada brand team

With the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs underway, what better way for Sears Canada to spark interest in its product assortment than the addition of a brand inspired by a player who on-ice exploits earned him the best nickname ever.

Beginning this fall, Sears Canada said it will introduce “#99 The Wayne Gretzy Collection” of casual menswear. Gretzy, for those who don’t know is a hockey legend and the all-time leading scorer by a wide margin.