TECHNOLOGY

Winning with Wi-Fi at Mall of America
Many of the roughly 100,000 average daily visitors to the Mall of America arrive with an expectation of being able to access the Internet via a fast and free Wi-Fi network. Living up to that expectation required the expansive property to rely on several key partners. When Mall of America decided it was time to offer free Wi-Fi for its 40 million annual guests, it turned to Garland, Texas-based AmpThink to design, build and manage the high density wireless network running on Cisco hardware throughout the 5.6 million square foot mall.
Boom in dollar stores may pose threat to grocers
Traditional supermarket retailers are facing competition on all fronts, from online pure players, discount grocery chains and from the extreme-value general merchandise retailers (dollar stores). While dollar stores remain a niche segment, consumables are becoming a more important part of the sector, according to a report on forbes.com.

J.C. Penney moving forward with big new initiatives

The likes of Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy have a new competitor to deal with—J.C. Penny. "The department store retailer on Monday announced a major expansion into home appliances, as well as two new tests in the home area, one involving Ashley Furniture, and the other national carpet and flooring company Empire Today.
The ‘least engaging’ retailers are …

Five retail chains rank among the top 10 brands doing a poor job when it comes to emotional engagement, a measure of how well brands meet consumer expectations, according to an annual survey.
Canadian retailers respond to Fort McMurray wildfires with donations

Both Walmart Canada and Loblaw companies sent financial aid to support the relief efforts in the Fort McMurray community. According to reports published Friday morning, fires in the province of Alberta have to date forced the evacution of 88,000 residents and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.
Study: Consumers influence other consumers

Retailers who can get consumers to generate social and online content about them have a decided competitive edge.

According to the new “CGC Index” from social marketing technology provider Bazaarvoice, consumer-generated content (CGC), or digital content that people create about a product or service they have experienced, used, purchased, or considered, can have a significant impact on retailer performance.
Academy Sports + Outdoors eyes Midwest growth with third DC

Academy Sports + Outdoors has opened a 1.6 million square foot distribution center that dramatically increases the company’s ability to support store expansion and omnichannel initiatives.
Study: Millennials like coupons — print or paperless

Despite their tech-savvy reputation, millennials are not above reducing their retail spending with the help of good old-fashioned print coupons.
Why Boot Barn has a vested interest in NBC’s ‘The Voice’

The nation’s largest western and work wear retailer is nothing if not supportive of its employees.

Boot Barn Holdings is donating $11,000 to charity in celebration of employee Mary Sarah advancing to be one of the eleven finalists on NBC's primetime singing competition, “The Voice.”

Sarah moved to Nashville and took a job at Boot Barn several years ago to support her life-goal of becoming a country music artist.
Another retailer joins in-store pickup club