TECHNOLOGY

The first back-to-school spending forecast is out
There is good news for retailers in a just-released 2017 back-to-school spending forecast. Retail sales during the back-to-school shopping season of July and August 2017 will grow 4.0% over 2016, according to eMarketer’s forecast. Retail sales in the U.S. during those core months will reach an estimated $857.18 billion, accounting for 17.0% of total retail sales for the year.
jet.com’s strategic move takes aim at Costco
Walmart’s e-commerce arm is shaking up its private label offerings. Jet.com will increasingly phase out its assortment of Kirkland Signature branded merchandise — Costco’s private label brand. The move is said to help augment efforts among Walmart’s Sam’s Club chain, which is focused on boosting sales among its own store brand, Member’s Mark, according to Bloomberg.

Online jeweler snags former Target exec as CEO

Blue Nile has a new chief executive. Jason Goldberger was named the online retailer’s new president and CEO. He will replace Harvey Kanter, who will remain on the company’s board as chairman.
Fast-food giant turns to Snapchat to attract millennial job seekers

McDonald’s is leveraging a hot app to encourage teens to join its workforce. The fast food giant is embarking on an aggressive summer hiring spree that aims to employ 250,000 restaurant employees across more than 14,000 restaurants operating in the United States. Eager to get the attention of millennials — its sweet spot — McDonald’s is taking a new approach.
Target and Cartwheel apps to merge

Target upping its mobile game. In a move that will eliminate customer confusion over the retailer's two separate apps, the discounter will move its Cartwheel savings app into the main Target app. The integration will happen this summer.
Study: The most popular store credit card is...

A retailer that does nearly all of its transactions online has the most popular store credit card. Amazon wins the store card battle, ranking as the top choice among consumers with store cards (32%), followed closely by Target (30%) and then Macy’s (24%).
Analyst: Across the board adoption of Amazon Prime not imminent

Approximately 80% of low-income households will not opt for Amazon's new discounted Prime program. That's according to a broadlines and hardlines retail report by Gordon Haskett Research Advisors analyst Chuck Grom, which looks at Amazon, Walmart, Dollar General and Dollar Tree as Amazon announced discounted Prime membership for those on federal assistance. Here are excerpts from Grom's report:
Report: Online sales alter trade and brand marketing

As retail sales shift from offline to e-commerce, marketers must learn to adjust trade strategies and budgets to be successful in a digital world.
Regional supermarket chain steps up promotional game

Weis Markets knows the key to driving loyalty is to deliver value. In a move that will improve its marketing and promotions operations, the regional grocer has partnered with dunnhumby and Aptaris. By integrating an enterprise promotional planning, price optimization, modeling and forecasting system, Weis is one step closer to increasing sales, improving customer loyalty and building a more profitable and competitive market position.
Ikea expands breadth through third-party sales

Ikea is getting in on the online marketplace game. The home furnishings giant is embarking on a test that will focus on selling its products on websites other than its own. This move will get merchandise in front of more online customers, according to Reuters.