News

Survey: 6 in 10 shoppers ‘showroom’ in store
Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Fifty-seven percent of consumers use their smartphones to assist shopping activities in store. According to new data from CFI Group's report "Holiday Shopping 2014: Shutting Down the Showroom Effect," which surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers and is sponsored by EBay Enterprise, 60% of survey respondents compare retailer's prices to their online competitors, while 63% use their phones to check prices at other local stores.
Study: Zappos is "simplest" U.S. brand
New York –- Online footwear retailer Zappos is ranked the simplest brand in the U.S. And that’s a good thing. According to the new Brand Simplicity Index ranking of U.S. brands from brand advisory firm Siegel & Gale, the top 10 list is dominated by retailers. The list includes Amazon.com at number two, Subway (#3), Pizza Hut (#4), Netflix (#5), Trader Joe’s (#6), Kroger (#7), McDonald’s (#8), Chipotle (#9) and Dunkin’ Donuts (#10).

Commentary: Emergence of Omnichannel Marketing

By Tracy Sloger, DataSource The role of “marketer” is not as simple as it used to be. Outbound and inbound methods are constantly evolving as traditional marketing efforts become more complex, and newer digital tactics are implemented and maintained at breathtaking speeds. Omnichannel marketing, while still a buzzword for some, is becoming more real for many.
Office Depot makes gift giving easier

Office Depot, Inc. is continuing its holiday initiatives. The merchant, formed by the merger of Office Depot and OfficeMax, has announced its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign being kicked off across all store locations and online on Nov. 2.

To address the volume of early shoppers, Office Depot and OfficeMax will unveil exclusive daily and weekly product deals from its most popular shopping categories including technology, printers, and furniture alongside other business and home office supplies.
Study: Nordstrom--online and in-store--top luxury retailer

New York -- Nordstrom came out on top in a ranking of luxury retailers by the Luxury Institute. According to the group's 2014 Luxury Multichannel Engagement Index, Nordstrom had the highest incidence of customers spending online (26%) and in-store (45%). It also led in its share of total fashion spend (17%).
Canada Goose launches new e-commerce site with Demandware

Toronto, Canada –- Luxury outdoor apparel brand Canada Goose is using Demandware Commerce to power its global direct-to-consumer strategy. Canada Goose’s first ecommerce site, serving consumers in Canada, went live in August.
Kohl’s lowers outlook as e-comm advances

Weaker than expected third quarter sales prompted Kohl’s to lower its profit forecast while noting that e-commerce sales increase 30%.

The company held an investor conference on Oct. 29 and said third quarter sales were expected to decline 1.4% due to softer than expected sales during October. The top line weakness caused the company to confirm that profits would be at the lower end of a previously forecast range of $4.05 to $4.45 a share.
Stylinity enables shoppable selfies

New York -- Stylinity, a new mobile app letting users share shoppable images and earn rewards for purchases they influence is now available for download on iTunes. Instead of hashtagging brands, users use their iPhones to scan price tags and attach product information to their photos, creating a shoppable link embedded in the image.
Retail vet to lead IKEA Canada

IKEA has appointed Stefan Sjöstrand president of its Canadian organization after he has previously served as SVP, IKEA France.

With this move Sjöstrand is bringing global insights gathered from many years of working with IKEA to the Canadian market, as well as a proven track record of achieving business success through people development, according to the company.
Toys 'R' Us launches omnichannel holiday promotion

Wayne, N.J. –- Toys 'R' Us Inc. is releasing The Great Big Christmas Book, the company’s annual holiday gift guide. More than 8 million Toys 'R' Us customers will receive a special edition of The Great Big Christmas Book, with deals valid Sunday, Nov. 2 through Saturday, Nov. 22, plus several “Ultimate Wish Saturday” events to be held throughout the month.