News

Boost your Wifi to boost your sales
In-store mobility is transforming the way retailers engage customers. These new customer engagement programs are resulting in dramatic changes to the store network to ensure successful rollouts. Customers will seek out stores that easily enable them to use their mobile devices to research products, read reviews, and check prices to gain the confidence required to make the right purchase.
Belk reaps rewards of omnichannel strategy
Months after announcing a major upgrade in its e-commerce capabilities, Belk reported that its online sales grew 46% in the third quarter.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based operator of 300 department stores in 16 states attributed the increase in Internet sales to the company’s “Yes! We Have It” item locator program and store fulfillment of digital sales initiatives.

Chick-fil-A mobilizes customers for ordering, payment

Atlanta - Chick–fil–A is mobilizing its customers, at least when it comes to payment and ordering. The quick service chain is launching two new features, mobile payment and mobile ordering, within the Chick–fil–A mobile app.
Danier Leather goes for form and function with Fujitsu POS rollout

Toronto, Canada - Danier Leather is going for both form and function with a new POS rollout. The retailer's flagship store at the Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, has implemented Fujitsu TeamPOS 7000 All-In-One (AIO) hardware. The solution offers faster and sleeker point of sale technology and the capability to integrate with future omnichannel offerings to enhance usability, increase sales capacity and improve the consumer experience, according to Fujitsu.
Guest Commentary: New Florida data breach law impacts retail stores

By Luis Salazar and Neha Dagley Watch out, retailers with stores in Florida. The Florida State Legislature has tightened controls over businesses for data security breaches. Effective July 1, 2014, the new Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA) will impact your business and how you handle data breaches. In recent years, data breaches have become commonplace, and have undoubtedly affected the chain-store industry. FIPA: COMPLIANCE AND CONSEQUENCES
Kroger taking on obesity epidemic

Kroger is highlighting its efforts to fight the U.S. obesity epidemic at a nutrition forum in Italy this month.
Five Hot Stores for a Cold Winter

The fall is always a busy time for new store openings as retailers head into their biggest selling season of the year. The five below are generating big buzz….as is the bonus one at the end.

1. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Toom, Seattle
The coffee giant spared no expense on its newest retail concept—the space is spectacular. Two years in the making, the Roastery is part retail store and part manufacturing facility—and all theatre.
RadioShack gets ‘weird’ for the holidays

Eighties sensation Weird Al Yankovic is offering RadioShack a new hope for the holidays.

Yankovic is appearing in the chain's holiday ad campaign called "Gift Smart.” In the ad, he sings his own unique take on the holiday song “Toyland.”

"He's tech-savvy, smart and a social media guru," said RadioShack chief marketing officer Jennifer Warren. Yankovich has more than 3.5 million Twitter followers and 1.6 million Facebook fans. "I don't think there could be a better fit for our brand right now."
Three Tech Lessons from Thanksgiving Weekend

So the retail industry made it through another five-day Thanksgiving weekend, stretching from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. As the dust begins to settle and the pundits make their pronouncements, let’s look at a few technology lessons retailers can learn from this year’s kickoff to the all-important holiday sales season. Little Mobile is All Grown Up
Simon to build $2.5B in new outlet malls

Retailers looking to grow their physical store presence have an ally in Simon Property Group, as the retail real estate leader is poised to expand its portfolio of Premium Outlets properties by adding 6.4 million square feet and a total investment of $2.5 billion.