News

Aeropostale names COO, CFO; cuts loss forecast
New York -- Aeropostale Inc. on Monday narrowed its fourth-quarter loss forecast on better than expected sales, margins, and expense management in January, and announced two executive appointments.
Wegmans, Amazon.com top corporate reputation list
Wegmans Food Markets, Costco, Publix and CVS are among the highest ranked companies in terms of corporate reputation, according to a new poll.

The 16th annual Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study ranked the reputations of the 100 most visible companies. Scores range from excellent (scores of 80+) to poor (scores of 50 to 64).

Survey: Mobile, omnichannel are priorities for retailers

Mobile and omnichannel are the top priorities for retailers this year, according to the 2015 Shop.org/Forrester Research Inc. State of Retailing Online report.

About 58% of the retailers by surveyed Shop.org and Forrester Research Inc. place mobile at the top of their list, up from 53% last year.
West Coast port congestion could cost retailers $7 billion this year

New York -- West Coast port congestion issues could cost retailers as much as $7 billion this year, according to an analysis by Kurt Salmon. Work stoppage threats and major trade associations’ calls for federal intervention have retailers and consumer products companies on high alert.
Mobile is top retailer priority in 2015, according to Shop.org/Forrester

Washington, D.C. -- Mobile is the top priority for retailers in 2015, according to the 2015 Shop.org/Forrester Research Inc., State of Retailing Online, with 58% of surveyed retailers placing it at the top of their list, up from 53% last year.

The survey found smartphone sales as a percentage of online sales grew from 8% in 2013 to 12% in 2014, an increase of 50%. Tablets’ share of the pie also grew from 13% of online sales in 2013 to 16% in 2014.
Petco wants shoppers to keep Fido well-fed

Petco is leveraging the power of its multichannel capabilities to educate its shoppers about pet nutrition.

The retailer is launching an initiative focused on the importance of proper nutrition for pets.
Dollar Tree arranges financing for Family Dollar purchase

Chesapeake, Va. - Dollar Tree Inc. is arranging financing for its pending acquisition of Family Dollar Stores Inc. To that end, Dollar Tree has priced a private offering of $$2.5 billion of senior notes due 2023 and $750 million of senior notes due 2020. The 2023 notes will bear an annual interest rate of 5.75% and the 2020 notes will bear an annual interest rate of 5.25%.

Dollar Tree has also arranged for a $1 billion term loan with interest of LIBOR plus 2.25% and a $3.95 billion term loan with interest of LIBOR (subject to a 0.75% floor) plus 3.5%.
Survey: Shoppers still love stores

New York - While the digital age has encouraged more consumers to shop and browse products on the Web, physical stores are still primary destinations for shoppers, according to an annual survey by PwC's.
Study: Mobile, loyalty, email offer CRM value

Columbia, Md. – Although it is now dismissed as a “legacy” technology, email can still provide value to retailers’ CRM (customer relationship marketing) efforts, as can mobile technology and loyalty programs. According to new data from CRM firm Merkle, 67% of consumers want a totally mobile path to purchase and 42% of supermarket shoppers use their phones at least once during a trip.
Forever 21 opens flagship on Fifth Avenue

Forever 21 has joined the crowded fast fashion scene on New York City’s Fifth Avenue by opening a new 36,000 square foot flagship store.

The store is spread out over four floors and will carry Forever 21 Men, Forever 21+, F21 Contemporary, basics, denim and shoes.

The new flagship takes over the site of a former H&M store, which closed in December a few months after the opening of its own new flagship on 48th Street.