News

Home Depot building its future at Georgia Tech
Home Depot’s efforts to advance tech innovation in retail will be getting a big boost from the company’s latest initiative.

The retailer has partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology to create a cutting-edge research center, focused on advancing tech innovations, education and giving young talent an opportunity to grow. The new Home Depot Technology Center will allow the company to work with more than 40 start-up companies housed at Georgia Tech.
Macy’s outgrows California omnichannel facility
Macy’s plans to quadruple the size of a central California distribution facility that has played a key role in the execution of the retailer’s omnichannel strategy.

The company plans to relocate its West Sacramento, Calif., direct-to-consumer fulfillment center to a larger facility in a nearby location in Sacramento County to support continued sales growth driven by Macy's omnichannel strategy.

Are Magic Mirrors the next big thing?

There was a buzz at this year’s NRF Big Show surrounding Magic Mirrors, which have moved from the prototype stage to something everyone seems to be working on now.
BN campaign promotes reading and the Nook

Barnes & Noble Inc. is embarking on a social media-based campaign to inspire more customers to read and promote its Nook e-reader.

The Nook Reading Challenge is a social media-based reading challenge with the goal of inspiring participants to read more and interact with their friends and the book community about what they’re currently reading, the company said.

To participate in the challenge, readers have to commit on their Facebook page to read one or more books between Jan. 24 (National Readathon Day) and Feb. 28 using the hashtag #NOOKReadingChallenge.
L’Oreal enters e-commerce arena with StyleSeat partnership

New York – L’Oreal USA is venturing into e-commerce via a partnership with with StyleSeat, an online platform for beauty and wellness services. Consumers already use StyleSeat to research and book appointments with hair and nail professionals, and it now offers salon-only L’Oreal authentic products for sale, as well.

Each purchase on StyleSeat can be made through the individual stylist pages. Users can also receive personalized email recommendations from stylists about products to use in between trips to the salon.
Dollar General CEO to fight on

Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling had planned to retire in a few months, but after Family Dollar shareholder’s snubbed his company’s buyout offer, Dreiling said he’ll stick around a bit longer.
Study: Online retailers tardy with refunds

New York – Taking money is one thing, but e-retailers aren’t always so great at giving it back. In a study of the refunds performance of 40 of the largest online retailers, analysis firm StellaService found that the majority of retailers evaluated aren’t meeting consumer expectations.

For orders placed in fourth quarter 2014, the average speed to receive a refund from the companies evaluated was 9.5 days. The majority of consumers said they expect a refund in seven days or less.
Sears Holdings names senior VP, president for Kmart pharmacy

New York -- Sears Holdings has a new leader for its Kmart pharmacy division. The company announced that it has hired Phil Keough as senior VP and president, pharmacy.

Keough most recently served as CEO and president of Millennium Pharmacy Systems, a long-term care pharmacy provider, and led the sale of the company to PharMerica.
Another indication of a strengthening economy

The smallest of small businesses are feeling good about 2015 which is good news for Sam’s Club as it appeals to the key member segment.

Microbusiness owners, defined as companies with five or fewer employees, are feeling better about their ability to maintain or grow their personal income in 2015, according to the Sam’s Club/Gallup Microbusiness Tracker survey of more than 1,000 businesses.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Beat the Consumer Goods Supply Chain Challenge

By Rich Becks, E2open

To stay competitive in today’s marketplace, consumer goods companies are reaching across the globe to seek new customers in new markets. In order to cater to these new customer segments, brand owners are now providing a dizzying array of local product variations through a complex network of outsourced manufacturing partners.