News

New York -- Accenture has been selected by Belk, the largest family-owned and -operated department store company in the United States, to help the retailer deliver a seamless experience to customers across all shopping channels – in-store, online and mobile – as part of its omnichannel transformation initiative. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 

Looking back on 2013 (and as always, it’s amazing how quickly “look back” time arrived), the biggest single trend in retail IT has been customers using connective technology to take control of the shopping experience. And retailers should be thrilled.

A program Tyson Foods developed to encourage people to make healthy choices by eating more chicken has been extended to three months and involves Facebook as a key component.

Hampstead, Md. -- Preparing for a potential fight against Men’s Wearhouse’s unsolicited acquisition bid, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers is ramping up its "poison pill" defense.  

Jos. A. Bank said Friday that it is lowering its ownership threshold to 10% from 20%, which is the same ownership threshold as Men's Wearhouse's shareholder rights plan.

Such a plan typically allows existing shareholders to acquire more stock at a discounted rate to ward off the investor collecting a big stake.

This holiday season was one of the first real opportunities for retailers to flex their omnichannel muscle. A shorter-than-usual holiday season, combined with ongoing economic uncertainty, led consumers to turn to a variety of shopping channels in their search for the most efficient and cost-effective way to round out their gifting lists. Likewise, many shoppers also demonstrated a desire to return products across these various channels. But were retailers ready?

The holiday saw the launch of major consoles, and multichannel videogame retailer GameStop is looking to capitalize by declaring 2014 to be the “Year of Gaming.”

The retailer is offering select items, including console bundles, games and consumer electronics, on sale hoping to lure gamers who didn’t get everything they wanted during the holiday or are looking to use holiday gift cards. The sale runs from now through Sunday, Jan. 5.

Bentonville, Ark. — Wal-Mart is reportedly recalling donkey meat it sells in China after testing revealed the meat contained fox DNA. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart detected fox DNA in samples of donkey meat from Chinese supplier Dezhou Fujude Food Company Ltd., and has since withdrawn all products from the company from its shelves.

Micro Center, a leading consumer electronics retailer, has entered into a multi-year agreement with the Warranty Group, a leading global provider of warranty solutions and underwriting services, which will allow the retailer to enhance its national Protection Plan program.

Under the new agreement, Micro Center customers will benefit from innovative warranty program solutions and customized services across a broad range of products.