News

By Jay Henderson, Global Strategy Director, IBM Smarter Commerce

The nation’s largest arts and crafts retailer plans to go public this year and the launch of a new ecommerce platform that gives Michaels Stores long overdue online sales capabilities is a key element of its growth strategy.

The CES show in Las Vegas is ground zero for big announcements and Amazon sought to make a splash of its own this week, announcing a commitment to 4K technology and arrangements with some of the biggest names in entertainment to enhance television picture quality.

The WhiteWave Foods Company has named Kevin C. Yost as president of the company’s newly acquired Earthbound Farm business. Charlie Sweat, previously CEO of Earthbound Farm, will move into an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.

The rest of the Earthbound Farm management team will continue to serve in their current roles.

As the clicks and bricks went head-to-head in retail’s all-important holiday season, the “clicks” had already won the 2013 race to build new warehouse and distribution facilities. Winning the overall retail race is quickly becoming about being first from dock to doorstep and satiating customer’s hunger for insta-delivery. This means having the right infrastructure, particularly supporting facilities, in place.

As retail store designs continue to rapidly evolve in the ecommerce era, Chain Store Age is looking for the best of the best for its 32nd annual Retail Store of the Year Design Competition.
 

Former Motorola executive and early stage technology investor Richard N. Nottenburg, PhD, has joined the board of Theatro, a startup focused on wearable devices.

Nottenburg previously served as president and CEO and a member of the board of directors of Sonus Networks from 2008 to 2010. From 2004 until 2008, Nottenburg was an officer with Motorola, ultimately serving as its EVP, chief strategy officer and chief technology officer. He currently serves on the boards of PMC Sierra, Verint Systems and Aeroflex Corporation.

Upscale department store retailer Bloomingdale’s isn’t a name typically associated with football, but that all changes this year as a result of the Super Bowl being held in New York for the first time ever.

Bloomingdale’s, operator of 37 department stores nationwide, will use its flag ship store on 59th Street in Manhattan to unveil a collection of designer helmets and a unique and stylish collection of entertaining essentials beginning January 15.

Fitbit has announced a relationship with Tory Burch to develop a collection of accessory wristbands and necklaces for Fitbit Flex. The Tory Burch for Fitbit accessories collection will include pendants, bracelets and wristbands designed to hold the Fitbit Flex tracker, transforming the activity tracker into a chic accessory for work or weekend, day or evening.

Leading specialty store retailer The Limited is working with analytics firm First Insight and had good things to say about how the tech company is impacting business at it 262 stores.

“By using First Insight to identify more winning products and price them correctly, our business will continue to increase its speed to market with the right styles at the right price”, said Diane Ellis, CEO of The Limited.  “The accuracy and scalability of the First Insight platform will drive our expanded approach to value delivery, including pricing and promotion.”