TECHNOLOGY

Analysis: Is Ralph Lauren Corp. moving away from luxury?
Ralph Lauren Corp. made headlines with its June 7th announcement that it planned to close 50 stores and lay off 1,000 employees as part of a restructuring in response to lower sales. The announcement didn't go into specifics about the luxury brand’s plans to correct its course. But some industry insiders speculate that the background of Ralph Lauren CEO Stefan Larsson, who took the reins of the company in September, holds the key.
Nimble small- to mid-level retailers steal share from larger, traditional chains
Think online is the biggest challenge traditional retailers face? Think again.

Outdoor lifestyle brand matching store space to green space

Timberland announced a goal to double its footprint in five U.S. cities by 2020 -- but not in the conventional year. Each year for the next five years, the brand will choose a different city with a Timberland store, and match its retail floor space with the creation or restoration of an equivalent amount of green space in that city.
Lands’ End names new marketing chief in leadership shakeup

Specialty apparel retailer Lands' End is making a number of new executive appointments in the marketing and merchandising areas of the company.
Walmart shows shoppers a good time

Long dependent on low prices to draw customers to stores, Walmart is trying a new traffic-boosting tactic: fun.
BevMo grabs two more Albertsons execs

Specialty alcoholic beverage retailer BevMo is shuffling its leadership team as part of an organizational transformation initiative.
Father’s Day spending: Eight need-to-know items

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, and retailers and dads alike will have reason to smile, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). American adults who plan to consume this holiday will do so in a big way, spending an average of $169.60 at predominantly at physical retailers, according to ICSC’s most recent consumer survey. Here are eight specific findings:
Coming soon to Nordstrom — cars

The nation’s highest-profile electric car-marker is taking an unusual route to get its product out in front of potential customers.
Digitizing the Storefront: Brick-and-mortar as the catalyst for omnichannel retail

For the retail industry, the storefront has taken on an entirely new meaning. The brick-and-mortar store is no longer the end-all-be-all in retailing, but the hub or pivotal point for a much larger movement – omnichannel retailing. Currently, traditional retailers compete for everything from having enough shelf-space, to engaging customers and bringing them into their physical store to make the final sale.
Restaurant brand teams up with Accenture in digital initiative

Quick-serve giant Subway restaurants has launched a new division, Subway Digital, to transform its customer experience. Created in collaboration with Accenture, the new division has been charged with building a comprehensive omnichannel strategy and implementation support team to enhance engagement and build loyalty.