News

Speakers at the recent Momentum 2014 conference held by Manhattan Associates in Hollywood, Florida, discussed a wide variety of supply chain topics. However, one theme that ran through many sessions was the expanded range of competition retailers face from a multitude of sources and channels. Properly meeting this competition requires a rethinking and broadening of supply chain strategy.

Vera Bradley has named former OfficeMax executive Thomas R. Giacalone as VP, e-commerce.

"Growing our e-commerce business is a critical piece of our five-year strategic plan, and we are very fortunate to have someone of Tom Giacalone's background and caliber join Vera Bradley to lead this important function," said CEO Robert Wallstrom.

Cambridge, Mass. -- An ongoing debate in retail is whether it’s a better strategy to use markdowns or everyday low prices. Research by MIT Sloan School of Management visiting professor Özalp Özer and his colleague Karen Zheng at MIT Sloan supports basing pricing strategy on consumer behavior compared to a one-size-fits-all approach.

New York – A shrinking net loss was the only positive result from the tough first quarter fiscal 2014 numbers posted by Cache Inc. Net loss shrank to $10.8 million from $17.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Cache’s net sales dropped 11% to $47.4 million, from $53.5 million. Same-store sales declined 8.9%, with the shift in Easter contributing. Jay Margolis, chairman and CEO of Cache, tried to strike an encouraging tone.

Pricing has long played a significant role in a retailer’s success, but with the industry continuing to undergo an omnichannel transformation the decisions retailers make about pricing will separate winners from losers.

New York -- DSW has closed on its acquisition of Town Shoes Limited, the largest footwear and accessories retailer in Canada, for $68.7 million in cash. DSW acquired a 49.2% interest in Town Shoes from certain clients of Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and other minority shareholders.

DSW's initial stake provides 50% voting control and board representation equal to the primary remaining shareholder, Callisto Capital. Peter J. Solomon Company served as financial advisor to DSW Inc.

Virtual Piggy, provider of Oink, a payment technology for families and teens, is expanding its Channel Partner Program by teaming up with commerce solutions provider Gorilla Group.

Gorilla’s clients include Franklin, Bonobos, Riot Games, Zynga and Movado. The company is aligned to help leading B2B and direct-to-consumer brands succeed online.

Speakers at the recent Momentum 2014 conference held by Manhattan Associates in Hollywood, Florida, discussed a wide variety of supply chain topics. However, one theme that ran through many sessions was the expanded range of competition retailers face from a multitude of sources and channels. Properly meeting this competition requires a rethinking and broadening of supply chain strategy.