Market Buzz& Industry News
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More than 60 Disney Store locations to close in North America03/03/2021
Disney plans to “significantly” reduce the global footprint of Disney Store as it focuses more on e-commerce.
Burlington Stores to open 100 stores in 2021; cites ‘significant market share opportunity’03/03/2021
Burlington Stores Inc. reported fourth-quarter sales and profit that beat Street estimates and said it was doubling its store count potential.
ThredUp files for IPO03/03/2021
ThredUp Inc. is looking to cash in on the booming market for secondhand clothing.
Report: Amazon goes outside U.S. with cashierless store format03/03/2021
Amazon is reportedly bringing its Amazon Go self-checkout convenience/grocery store concept to the U.K., under a new name.
Target powers up three new renewable energy projects03/03/2021
Target is furthering its commitment to use solar- and wind-generated electricity.
Michaels beats Street with Q4 profits, earnings03/03/2021
The good financial news continues for The Michaels Companies with strong results for the last quarter of fiscal 2020.
Costco, Amazon and Apple take top spots in retail customer satisfaction study03/03/2021
The customer experience is crucial to generating sales — online and in-store.
Mastercard: U.S. retail sales up 4.6% in February; apparel continues to move online03/03/2021
Consumers didn’t let inclement weather put that big of a dent in their spending during the month of February, particularly when it came to shopping online.
Hy-Vee to open in-store nail salons03/03/2021
Hy-Vee has teamed up with The W Nail Bar to open several in-store nail salons by the end of 2021.
Key considerations for digital transformation in retail03/03/2021
Facing macro-competitive pressures coupled with the pandemic’s impact, retailers are forced to develop cloud-centric IT capabilities to improve customer experience and scale.
Survey: Retailers Unlikely to Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Employees03/02/2021
With COVID-19 immunizations underway, businesses in every industry are grappling with drafting and implementing vaccination policies.
Michaels to be acquired for $3.3 billion03/02/2021
The Michaels Companies is being acquired in a deal that values the arts-and-crafts retailer at $5 billion.
Charming Charlie revival continues03/02/2021
Charming Charlie is extending its comeback efforts online.
Leading New Zealand retailer mobilizes for improved task management03/02/2021
New Zealand’s largest home improvement chain is streamlining enterprise communications to enhance store execution.
Walmart makes major commitment to U.S. manufacturing03/02/2021
Walmart will spend $350 billion in the next 10 years on items made, grown or assembled in the U.S.
The Black Tux to open in-store shops at David’s Bridal03/02/2021
Brides, bridesmaids, grooms and groomsmen will soon be able to shop for their wedding attire under the same roof.
Dollar Tree to open 600 stores in 2021; expanding new ‘combination store’ concept03/02/2021
Dollar Tree reported Q4 sales that missed Street estimates and said it is ramping up its store growth and remodeling, with a push for a new format that combines both its banners.
FedEx to phase in electric delivery vehicles03/02/2021
A shipping giant is focusing on electric vehicles and sustainable facilities as key components of a plan to achieve carbon neutrality.
Kroger will continue to require mask-wearing in Texas, Mississippi until…03/02/2021
The Kroger Co. is holding firm to its nationwide mask mandate even as some states loosen their restrictions.
Sephora keeps top spot for personal experience03/02/2021
A familiar name is ranked number one in the fourth annual Retail Personalization Index.
Seattle and Salt Lake City thrived in 2020; Las Vegas and New Haven dived03/02/2021
Only 11 metros in the United States equaled or surpassed their average retail sales growth rates from the previous five-year period.
Not requiring masks is a ‘mistake,’ says retail group03/02/2021
Two of the nation’s leading retail groups are reiterating their support for mask-wearing in the wake of several states dropping their mask mandates.
Survey: Brands can build consumer trust with product quality03/02/2021
A heightened emphasis on e-commerce has made brand trust the top priority of consumers, according to a new survey.
Best Buy targets older adults with mobile health offering03/02/2021
Best Buy is providing a full array of health and safety services via Apple Watch.
Bed Bath & Beyond to launch six private brands in first half of 202103/02/2021
Bed Bath & Beyond is moving ahead with its big push into store brands, a critical part of the chain’s turnaround strategy.
Macy’s COO to leave and role to be eliminated amid other leadership changes03/01/2021
Macy’s Inc. is making some changes to its senior leadership team as the company continues to overhaul its business in response to changing consumer behavior.
Topgolf announces new location in Fort Myers, Fla.03/01/2021
Topgolf has announced it will open its seventh Florida location later this year in Fort Myers, Fla., off I-75 near the Cypress Lakes development.
Regional grocer takes closer look at competitor pricing03/01/2021
North State Grocery is analyzing the prices of rival supermarket chains at a granular level.
Amazon 4-Star opens at Pyramid’s Crossgates complex in Albany03/01/2021
Pyramid Management Group, the owner of Destiny USA in Syracuse that prides itself on innovative re-tenanting, has announced the opening of its first Amazon 4-Star store at its Crossgates property in Albany, N.Y.
CSA Webinar: Learn about touchless, hygienic solutions for restrooms03/01/2021
With customer and employee wellness top of mind, Chain Store Age will present a webinar on Tuesday, March 9 at 2 p.m., on how touchless products can contribute to a restroom’s overall good hygiene.
Fabletics finds solution for better search performance03/01/2021
An activewear retailer with a Hollywood connection is boosting its search revenue and transaction rate metrics.
Paper Source files for bankruptcy03/01/2021
Paper Source Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a plan to sell itself.
Target Q4 sales soar amid strong holiday season, stimulus checks03/01/2021
Target Corp. ended an impressive year on a strong note, with sales and earnings that topped analysts’ estimates as the discounter got a boost from holiday spending and $600 stimulus checks.
Kohl’s tops Q4 earnings, sales estimates; forecasts growth in 202103/01/2021
Kohl’s Corp. ended a tough year on an upbeat note.
Yum! Brands beefs up AI efforts with acquisition03/01/2021
A quick-service restaurant operator is purchasing an artificial intelligence-based consumer insights and marketing performance analytics technology provider.
Walmart boosts ad network with three new partners03/01/2021
Walmart is building up the advertising partner network it launched in January 2020.
Ralph Lauren saddles up for subscription program03/01/2021
The world of Ralph Lauren now includes a subscription apparel rental initiative.
Abercrombie & Fitch Q4 tops Street; closed 137 stores in 202003/01/2021
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported fourth-quarter earnings and sales that beat Wall Street expectations as it continued to trim its store portfolio.
Trader Joe’s leads again in customer satisfaction as overall retail satisfaction declines03/01/2021
Trader Joe’s kept its customer satisfaction score steady during 2020, which is more than most other retailers can say.
Chico’s Q4 loss widens; closing 40 to 45 stores, adding in-store Soma shops03/01/2021
Chico’s FAS reported disappointing fourth-quarter sales and gave an update on store closings and its plans to roll out in-store Soma shops.
Target to invest $4 billion annually on store expansion, remodels, online03/01/2021
Target Corp. will build on its record 2020 sales growth by making big annual investments to continue scaling capabilities across its online and brick-and-mortar retail platform.
Amazon taking checkout-free store concept to the U.K.02/28/2021
Amazon Go is moving across the pond.
Crate & Barrel designs new trade program02/28/2021
A specialty home furnishings retailer is targeting designers and businesses with a new omnichannel service experience.
Dick’s Sporting Goods opening four stores in March02/28/2021
Dick’s Sporting Goods continues to expand its national footprint.
Hudson opens new store concept powered by Amazon technology02/28/2021
Travel retailer Hudson has opened the doors to its new contactless shopping format, Hudson Nonstop.
Walmart taps two Goldman Sachs bankers to lead chain’s fintech start-up02/28/2021
Walmart’s expansion into finance continues to ramp up with the reported hiring of two heavy hitters.
Publix sales jump to $44.9 billion in 2020 amid COVID-19 spending02/28/2021
Publix ended the year on a strong note as the ongoing pandemic continued to drive sales.
Nordstrom opening in-store shops dedicated to at-home fitness product Tonal02/28/2021
Nordstrom is jumping into the at-home fitness trend.
Walmart eliminates order minimum from Express Delivery 02/28/2021
Walmart is continuing its efforts to draw shoppers away from the Amazon Prime Now same-day delivery service.