News

New York -- REI has launched a news mobile app that allows users to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations.   The recently introduced iPad app offers an optimized shopping and product research experience and gives users access to a broad and inspiring product selection of the top brands in camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, skiing, fitness and more.   

Bloomingdale's new store in Palo Alto, California, is the retailer's most digitally-sophisticated to date. From smart fitting rooms equipped with wall-mounted tablets to a digital-wallet system, the 125,00-sq.-ft. department store blends high-tech elements with a sleek, modern aesthetic. See Photos.

Walmart’s newest omnichannel initiative is on display at a supercenter in Northwest Arkanas where the retailer has installed lockers for online order pickup.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal announced a workforce reduction resulting in the elimination of a combination of 78 filled and open positions, including  66 positions at the company’s corporate office, or a 24% reduction in headcount, and 12 positions at the field management level, representing a 20% decrease. The cuts are the first steps in the retailer’s initiative to reduce its overall cost structure.   

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Plug and Play Tech Center is launching its first Retail and Brand Meetup on Wednesday, Oct.  22, starting at 5:30 pm PDT. The free event will feature a panel of marketing experts discussing the future of marketing and the importance of brands and retailers staying in touch with the customer at all touchpoint during a consumers path to purchase.    

Plenty of retailers pay dividends, but none comes close to matching the track record of Stanley Black & Decker.

The company declared a 52 cent a share dividend for its fourth quarter and in so doing set a mark no retailer is likely to ever attain.

Tampa, Fla. -- MarketYze, a provider of pricing and promotion intelligence solutions, is partnering with retail technology vendor Revionics Inc. to launch the Competitive Data Partner Program. The new program enables retailers to seamlessly incorporate all sources of competitive data into their competitive positioning strategies.   

New York -- Two-thirds of Americans are limiting how much they spend each month. According to a new Bankrate.com report, of those limiting their monthly spending, 32% cite stagnant income as the main reason and 29% cite the need to save more.