TECHNOLOGY

J. Crew cutting jobs as part of restructuring
J.Crew Group is in a reorganization mode as it look to better position itself for growth. The apparel retailer announced several strategic changes across its organization, including reducing headcount. Approximately 150 full-time and 100 open positions are being cut, mostly from corporate headquarters.
J.C. Penney in big beauty expansion
J.C. Penney is expanding its partnership with beauty giant Sephora, online and offline. The retailer announced it will open 70 new in-store Sephora shops in Penney locations and also expand 32 existing shops by nearly 50% to accommodate more products and services. As part of the expansion, Penney will hire 800 beauty consultants. Sephora shops will be featured in nearly in nearly 650 Penney stores in 2017.

NRF: Mother’s Day spending to reach record-high

Whether treating mom to jewelry or a special outing at her favorite restaurant, consumers plan to spend more than ever on Mother’s Day. Specifically, Mother’s Day shoppers are expected to spend an average of $186.39 for the holiday, up from last year’s $172.22, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, which tapped 7,406 consumers about their Mother’s Day plans. The study was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Report: Rent the Runway co-founder joins Walmart tech incubator

Walmart’s tech start-up has added a new leader. The retail giant’s newly launched startup investment arm, called Store No. 8, has named Jenny Fleiss as one of its chief executives, according to Reuters. Fleiss is the co-founder and former head of business development for Rent the Runway.
Tech Insights: Omnichannel Bots Are in Your Future

As recently as the 1990s, the only real form of text-based communication with customers was via email. Today, consumers have a range of social platforms they use to effortlessly communicate — and they expect their shopping experiences to be effortless and, more importantly, seamless across channels as well.
Target goes big for Mario

Target Corp. is celebrating the highly-anticipated release of a popular video game with some fun in-store flourishes.
CVS Pharmacy adding new in-store health services

CVS Pharmacy has entered a new arena by adding audio and optical services to its in-store offerings. The retailer has opened seven hearing and five optical centers in its drug stores in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, with plans to expand to 50 locations by the end of 2017, Morgan Diaz, senior director, health services division at CVS Health, told Chain Store Age’s sister publication, Drug Store News. The centers are housed adjacent to pharmacies.
Millennials rank their 10 favorite brands

For millennial shoppers, Victoria’s Secret is tops, followed by Sephora and Nike. That’s according to a report from Conde Nast Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which surveyed the popularity of brands among millennial shoppers, reported Bloomberg.
Appear Here taps into ongoing trend for pop-up stores, temporary leases

Think of it as an Airbnb for temporary spaces. Appear Here, a British-based online marketplace for short-term retail space, has launched in the United States, with its initial expansion starting in New York City.
Study: U.S. companies still waiting on an innovation ROI

Global companies agree that innovation is critical to survival but not enough projects are successfully driving growth and increasing revenue. Specifically, two-thirds (66%) of global organizations said innovation is crucial to their longevity, but only 28% are seeing returns on their investments (ROI), according to “Innovation Matters,” a report from PA Consulting Group. The report tapped 821 senior executives across C-level, senior VP, board and director level positions.