TECHNOLOGY

Macy’s revamps loyalty program
Macy's is overhauling its loyalty program, putting a new focus on its best customers. The department store retailer is revamping its Star Rewards program with a tiered rewards system that gives its very best shoppers (those who spend $1,200 or more annually) such perks as free shipping, additional savings and earned points on every purchase.
Walmart targets rival with relaunch
Walmart is looking to expand its share of the lucrative market for baby products. The discounter announced it is relaunching its Parent's Choice line of baby essentials with an expanded line of products and a new logo. Parent's Choice, which began 20 years ago with just baby formula, will grow to 275 items. The relaunch comes as Target Corp. has been focusing on baby with new Cloud Island baby brand, which recently added has bedding and nursery decor to its assortment.

Study: Even younger shoppers like stores

More than three-quarters of consumers are shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores just as much as or more than they did a year ago. That's according to Consumer View, a new quarterly report from the National Retail Federation. NRF is working with Toluna Analytics to produce the report, which is designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to stores, online channels, customer loyalty, technology and other issues.
Shoppertrak: December 2017 calendar to influence shopper behavior

This holiday season offers retailers something they haven't experienced in five years. For the first since 2012, there will be four Saturdays in December prior to Christmas Day, according to Shoppertrak, which noted that the busiest shopping day of the year will fall on Black Friday, Nov. 24. Saturday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 16 are expected to be the second and third busiest shopping days, respectively. (The full list is at the end of the article.)
Using Unified Retail Planning to Break Out of Functional Silos

Retail today isn’t for the faint-hearted. A recent quote from business magnate and investor Warren Buffet is quite telling, “I think retailing is just too tough for me, just generally.”
KPMG report: CEOs focused on physical, digital infrastructure investments

U.S. retail CEOs are optimistic about growth prospects. That's according to the 2017 KPMG U.S. CEO Outlook report by U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG, which found that 95% CEOs of U.S. consumer goods and retail companies are confident about the growth outlook for the global economy, the industry and their companies over the next three years, despite potential technological risks. Their peers in other parts of the world, do not share the same optimism, the report found.
Disney testing new store design as part of omnichannel update

Disney is looking to update its customer experience, offline and online, in what it said represents "the next generation of Disney retail." The company is testing a new store prototype in select locations, including Century City, Calif.; Northridge, Calif.; Miami, Fla. (opening Sept. 28); Nagoya, Japan; and Shanghai, China. The prototype is designed to bring the magic of Disney to retail through innovative technology, storytelling and cast member interaction, the company stated.
Walmart signs on for Facebook's new platform

The nation's largest private employer is working with the country's largest social network. Walmart has signed on to use Facebook’s Workplace enterprise collaboration platform. Launched in fall 2016, Workplace is designed to connect colleagues within a company, and allow them to message each other, share images and broadcast live videos.
American Eagle Outfitters in new loyalty offerings

American Eagle Outfitters has gone omnichannel with its loyalty program. The teen apparel retailer announced the launch of AEO Connected, a highly digitized loyalty program for its American Eagle and Aerie customers. Over 16 million current rewards members were immediately converted to AEO Connected.
Nordstrom in deal with fast-growing online apparel start-up

Nordstrom is collaborating with a retailer known for its high-quality, ethically made fashion basics and "radical transparency." The department store retailer's themed pop-up shop concept, Pop-In@Nordstrom, will be dedicated to a collection of products from Everlane. The in-store shop will launch in eight Nordstrom stores on Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 12. Items will also be available online.