News

Loyalty programs found to be lacking
Retailers are surely getting tired of hearing about how their digital capabilities fall short of customer expectations but that familiar drumbeat is contained in a new report from Capgemini Consulting called, “Fixing the Cracks: Reinventing Loyalty Programs for the Digital Age.”
Report: More and more retailers transitioning to single order management system
Boston – During the next three years, 250% more retailers are transitioning to a single order management solution (OMS) to support a unified commerce experience across all channels, according to a new special report by Boston Retail Partners. The study, “Order Management is the New POS,” explains how many retailers are planning to adopt a single order management system and the numerous benefits it presents to improve operations and enhance the customer experience.

Sears outlets change appliance strategy

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores is rearranging its appliance retail strategy to better speak to customers and their changing priorities.
Signet Q4 earnings jump 30%

Hamilton, Bermuda -- Signet Jewelers Ltd. on Thursday posted a better-than-expected 30% surge in profit its fourth quarter.
King of the cloud, Amazon offers unlimited everything

In its quest to offer its customers everything from one-hour delivery of toilet paper to instant TV streaming, Amazon now wants to dominate the market in cloud storage with a dirt cheap new plan.

For $5 a month, customers can sign up for Amazon Cloud Drive and store as much digital content as they want. With the unlimited plans, customers no longer need to worry about how much storage is needed to keep their content safe and secure: they can choose either the Unlimited Photos Plan or Unlimited Everything Plan and only pay one flat fee per year.
GameStop eyes growth strategy with emerging formats

GameStop’s strongest growth in 2015 will have little to do with gaming as the company plans to open between 350 to 550 stores in technology brands segment while paring its GameStop store presence.

The company’s technology brands segment is comprised of 361 ATT&T brand stores, 63 Cricket branded stores that offer wireless products and services and 60 Simply Mac Stores. Meanwhile, the company has indicated it will close 3%, or nearly 200 of its approximately 6,000 traditional video game stores.
He really did go to Jared

The parent company of Kay, Zale and Jared brand jewelry stores had a phenomenal holiday season with profits up more than 40% on solid same store sales growth.
Fred's names former Walgreens exec as head merchant

Putting aside a worse than expected fourth quarter loss, regional discounter Fred’s could be on the cusp of more meaningful growth after assembling a roster of top executive talent under the leadership of CEO Jerry Shore and president Mike Bloom.
P&G campaign focuses on Latina shoppers

Proctor & Gamble is trying to increase Latina interest in its products with a new “Living Fabulosa” (living fabulously) initiative.

It is part pf the company’s Orgullosa campaign, which highlights the unique and complex experience of the modern, bicultural Latina -- the Nueva Latina.
Walmart’s Foran and McKenna to offer views in NY

In a break from tradition, Walmart is hosting an investor meeting in New York on April 1 with the new team of top executives who are driving the latest round of changes at the retailer’s U.S. business.

A 90 minutes session scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST on April 1 at the New York Stock Exchange will be hosted by Walmart U.S. President and CEO Greg Foran.