News

Abercrombie & Fitch understands that the key to international branding is to deliver a consistent store experience across the globe.

By adopting an open operating platform and integrated point-of-sale infrastructure, the company is able to centrally manage all business operations, including supply chain, inventory management and POS processing, across international borders. The retailer’s international stores now garner close to $1 billion in sales.

For many retail brands, Chapter 11 is not always the end of the story. Just consider the sequel being crafted by home furnishings retailer Bombay Company, which was founded in 1978 as a mail-order operation and grew to a national presence with 461 stores before filing for bankruptcy in late 2007 and closing all its U.S. locations.

ORRVILLE, Ohio — Smuckers brand Uncrustables has teamed up with Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater, Kristi Yamaguchi, for the Unstoppable Family Photo Contest. The winner will receive $15,000 check toward an unstoppable family adventure and a year's supply of Uncrustables sandwiches.

From now through Nov. 1, parents can go to www.uncrustables.com to submit a photo showing where their families enjoy Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches in their unstoppable family adventures with a brief caption.

The leaves haven’t even turned yet in my part of the country, but the holiday onslaught is already well under way. Specifically, the annual deluge of forecasts and predictions as retail consultants, analysts, economists and others try to read the tea leaves with regards to the upcoming holiday season.

SPARTA, Mich. — Old Orchard Brands has introduced new frozen fruit juice concentrates under its Harvest Select brand.

Available in apple, grape and orange varieties, Harvest Select contains 10% real fruit juice and each 8-oz. serving provides 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, Old Orchard Brands said.

Harvest Select frozen juice cocktail concentrate can be found in the frozen juice aisle of retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of 99 cents per can.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the U.S. Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association have agreed to a 90-day extension of the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on Sept. 30.

SAN FRANCISCO — The single cup brewing trend as arrived at Williams-Sonoma in the form of the Starbucks’ deluxe Verismo System 585.

According to the company, the Verismo System 585 is the first at-home premium single cup machine that makes Starbucks-quality espresso beverages and brewed coffee with the touch of a button. The system is available in the deluxe 585 or base 580 model online and will be available in stores beginning Sept. 28.

Parking lot maintenance is taking top billing in retail, as a growing number of facilities managers realize that extending the life cycle of an existing parking lot paves the way toward reduced expense in the long run.

Chain Store Age talked with Rose Paving’s C.B. Kuzlik about retail’s renewed focus on maintenance in today’s cost-conscious climate.

What role does weather play in parking lot management?