News

Target's next big thing: Lilly Pulitzer
Target shoppers looking for the next big thing in fashion are in for a splash of color and bold prints from the retailer’s next design partner.

Target has announced it is collaborating with American resort wear brand Lilly Pulitzer on a limited-edition collection featuring 15 exclusive prints, which are original works of art.
Marble Slab, MaggieMoo’s run omnichannel New Year promo
Atlanta – New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, and Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery are attempting to make the task even harder for their customers. On Jan. 17, the traditional day consumers give up their resolutions, the chains are offering an omnichannel "Ditch Your New Year's Resolution" promotion.

Customers can visit the Facebook page of either retailer to claim an offer, as well as visit a store to receive a buy-one-get-one-free promotion.

ECRM: Retail circular advertising trends, December 2014

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in December 2013 vs. December 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. CVS used longer but fewer December circulars, increasing circular pages by 18%. The CVS Christmas Clearance Sale circular was not seen in 2014. Walgreens cut two December 2014 comparable circulars accounting for the 22% drop in circular pages. CVS added a large “THROW THE PERFECT PARTY” promotional block on the inside front page of the 2014 holiday week circular featuring snacks, cookies, coffee, ice cream and sparkling cider.
APT: Holiday in-store sales rise 0.7%

Washington, D.C. – The holidays were at least moderately happy for in-store retailers. According to the Applied Predictive Technologies (APT) Index, in-store sales for the 2014 holiday shopping season were up 0.7% although sales decreased on Black Friday and Super Saturday weekends.

The number of transactions: actually declined 0.4%, but this was more than offset by a 1.1% increase in average purchase amount. Black Friday weekend retail sales were down -3.5%, while Super Saturday weekend retail sales were down -1.7%.
Walmart de Mexico names new CEO

Walmart is turning to the head of its Latin American business to take over as CEO of Walmart de Mexico.

Enrique Ostale, who is chairman of the board of the retailer's Latin American business, will take over as Mexico chief executive on Jan. 1. The position will oversee Walmart's operations in Mexico and Central America.
Epson and Touch Dynamic in partnership to offer more engaging mobile shopping experience

Long Beach, Calif. -- Epson America, a supplier of value-added POS solutions, announced a partnership with Touch Dynamic, a manufacturer in all-in-one POS systems, to address the growing importance of mobile POS as the overall mobile expansion in retail and hospitality continues.

By bundling Epson’s new ultra-compact Mobilink P20 receipt printer with Touch Dynamic’s new 7" and 10" Quest Tablets specifically designed for mobile POS, merchants can increase sales and improve customer service.
Body Central begins New Year in bad shape

Another mall-based retailer has announced that it is in default and struggling for survival.

Body Central Corp. announced that it is in default on $18 million in debt and is exploring strategic alternatives, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company said in a statement.

The company also said it is experiencing “significant liquidity problems,” and is exploring options, including a possible bankruptcy filing.
Wet Seal to close 338 stores, cut 3,695 jobs

Things are not looking up at Wet Seal, which has announced that it will close 338 stores, or about 66% of its total portfolio, “on or about” Jan. 7, resulting in the termination of some 3,695 full- and part-time employees.

The struggling teen apparel retailer said the decision to close the stores was based on its overall financial condition and an inability to negotiate meaningful concessions from its landlords.

The company said the 338 stores represented approximately 48% of its sales for the nine months ending on November 1, 2014.
NYC Retail: Must-See New Stores

New York -- As the Big Apple gets ready to host the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show,” which kicks off Sunday, Jan. 11, the city’s retail scene is buzzing. Here are 10 must-see new spaces:
Abercrombie expands digital ops across Asia with Demandware

Burlington, Mass. -- Demandware said that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is using Demandware Commerce to power global expansion across Asia. The retailer recently launched 10 new e-commerce sites for its Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister brands with the Demandware platform, serving China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. All of the sites are mobile-optimized through responsive web design.