TECHNOLOGY

Retail marketing execs bullish on holiday sales
Steadily climbing consumer confidence and retail sales growth have U.S. retail chief marketing officers feeling optimistic ahead of this holiday season.
Restoration Hardware expanding
Restoration Hardware is delving further into interior design services. The luxe home furnishings company is adding interactive design studios, called RH Design Ateliers, across its entire retail fleet this fall, including more than 50 markets throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, the retailer has launched a fully integrated design platform, called RH Interior Design, designed to help customers create their dream living spaces.

J.C. Penney joins the holiday marathon, and adds low price guarantee

J.C. Penney will celebrate Thanksgiving with an all-night shopping spree — complete with new shopping carts. The retailer will open at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving, similar to last year, and remain open until Friday, Nov. 25 at 10 p.m. Online shoppers will get a jump on holiday deals, with Penney’s Black Friday sale prices available online the day before, starting at midnight Nov. 23.
Toys ‘R’ Us going on 30-hour shopping marathon

The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer isn’t worried about any so-called Thanksgiving backlash. Toys “R” Us announced plans to open its doors at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving — and keep them open (in nearly all locations) for 30 hours straight, closing them at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. It’s the fourth consecutive year the chain has opened at 5 p.m. on the holiday.
Here's how Dollar General plans to win holiday shoppers

Dollar General is rolling out extended store hours, exclusive digital coupons and online-only discounts to woo holiday shoppers this year. The retailer has announced that its holiday season plans will begin this week with a special discount for military-affiliated shoppers on Friday, Veterans Day.
Whole Foods to launch national rewards program

Whole Foods Market is preparing to roll out a rewards program nationwide amid increasing competition for its shippers. . Coinciding with the company’s “strategy around leading a race to the top in terms of a differentiated customer experience,” the grocer plans to launch the rewards program in 2017, Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey said in the company’s earnings call on Wednesday, Nov. 2. He did not reveal a specific start-date.
J. Crew axing bridal

J. Crew Group is exiting the bridal business, which it entered back in 2004. The company has marked down its entire collection of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses by up to 70% online and in stores, reported Business Insider. Once the merchandise sells out, the retailer will no longer offer a wedding line, according to the report.
Staples leverages new app to assist business customers

Staples’ business division is using a mobile app to help customers visualize site assessments.
Kohl’s leap-frogs competition and reveals Black Friday deals

As a teaser for its Thanksgiving Day opening, Kohl’s is launching a one-day Black Friday sale Wednesday, Nov. 3. Available in-store and on its website, Kohl’s will feature one day of Black Friday deals for shoppers eager to get a jump on their holiday shopping. The program supports its holiday tagline, the “First Place to Stop and Best Place to Shop.” Featured merchandise includes Serta gel memory foam mattresses, 50-inch LED TVs, inflatable hot tubs, and appliances, such as food processors, among other merchandise.
Walmart and Kroger in dead heat…

Two of the nation’s largest retailers shared the No. 1 position in a ranking of the top U.S. retailers. Walmart and Kroger Co. tied for first place (in the overall composite score) in Kantar Retail’s 2016 Retailer PoweRanking. The ranking is designed to identify the retailers currently setting the highest standards of performance as viewed by their trading partners, and to gain insight into what makes these retailers "best in class."