News

New Lay's chip flavor coming soon to shelves
Retailers could soon be having to find space on the shelf for a new Lay’s chip as the brand continues its third year of crowd-sourced product development.

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has announced a last call for submissions in its search for the next great potato chip flavor as part of the Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest. Fans have until March 30 to submit flavor ideas for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize.
Neiman Marcus swings to Q2 profit, boosted by sales from German acquisition
Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group swung to a profit in the second quarter, helped by a 15% increase in online sales and its acquisition of Germany luxury online retailer MyTheresa.

The upscale retailer reported a profit of $27.8 million in the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with a loss of $84.0 million in the year-ago period. (Neiman’s loss last year was partially credited to expenses related to

Revenue grew to $1.52 billion from $1.43 billion in the prior-year period. Same-store sales and online sales rose 5.6%.

Cleared for takeoff: Macy’s to grow beauty brand

Faced with dwindling expansion opportunities for traditional department stores, Macy is looking to significantly grow standalone beauty stores following its recently completed acquisition of the 60 unit specialty beauty retailer Bluemercury.
Pantry shareholders give OK to merger with Alimentation Couche-Tard

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry moved one step closer to its merger with Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard as Pantry stockholders approved the merger agreement at a special meeting on March 10.

The stockholders cast 19,725,407 votes for the deal and 71,442 votes against the deal, with 34,806 abstaining, according to documents The Pantry filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).
BN still on the hook for Nook in Q3

As Barnes & Noble tries to write a new, more profitable chapter by spinning off its college division, the company reported that its Nook division is still weighing on revenue.

The company said same store sales at Barnes & Noble Inc. (excluding Nook) increased 1.7% in the third quarter, which ended Jan. 31. Analysts had estimated a 1% decline. Taking Nook sales into account, same store sales declined .3%. Third quarter revenue of $1.96 billion declined $35 million as compared to the prior year.
Zappos adopts Apple Touch ID

Las Vegas – Zappos is making Apple Touch ID available to its mobile customers. The latest update of the Zappos iOS app adds the option to log in with Touch ID.

Touch ID eliminates the need for password login.

With a single touch, customers using iPhones and iPads are logged in and ready to check out. Apple first introduced Touch ID in September 2013.
Saks Fifth Avenue selling Disney dream

Saks and nine top fashion footwear designers offered their stunning interpretations of Cinderella’s slipper to generate in-store excitement at Saks’ flagship store.
Starbucks heads west with mobile payment

Seattle – American innovation has been heading west since the development of the extra-durable Conestoga wagon in the 1700s. On March 17, Starbucks will continue the pioneer tradition by expanding its mobile order & pay system to the Pacific Northwest.

The mobile payment feature allows Starbucks mobile app users to place their order in advance and pick it up at a selected Starbucks location. It is seamlessly integrated into the Starbucks app and loyalty program.
Deliv snags former eBay product chief

Deliv, the crowdsourced, same-day delivery service used by many omnichannel retailers, has hired an ex-executive at eBay to be its new product chief.

Kenneth Pate, former VP of product management at eBay, will bring a decade of experience in omnichannel execution to the startup. The company says Pate will be responsible for the Deliv experience across the same-day delivery service value chain, which includes retailers, shoppers, drivers and mall operators.
Dooney & Bourke leverages Demandware digital commerce capability

Norwalk, Conn. – Specialty retailer Dooney & Bourke has migrated its digital commerce operations from an on-premise solution to Demandware Commerce. The new site provides consumers with an enhanced online shopping experience, serving more than 40 countries in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.