Market Buzz& Industry News
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Amazon?s department stores to feature high-tech changing rooms09/22/2021
The department store concept Amazon.com is reportedly opening will include high-tech dressing rooms where clothes are brought to customers after they have scanned QR codes on items they’d like to try on. Touchscreens located in dressing rooms may also recommend other choices based on items that customers have initially chosen.
Pumpkin spice is in almost everything09/22/2021
Manufacturers of a wide variety of food and nonfood products are creating items that incorporate pumpkin spice flavoring and/or scents into their items including beer, candles, face masks, pasta and many more.
Dick?s looks for big score after signing WNBA deal09/22/2021
Dick’s Sporting Goods has reached a multiyear deal to become the official partner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Dick’s CEO, Lauren Hobart, called the deal with the 12-team league “an important next step in our journey to support female athletes.” Dick’s has achieved substantial sales growth since the beginning of the pandemic and…
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Climate change has American farmers looking to grow coffee09/22/2021
Rising temperatures and other effects from climate change has made it more difficult for farmers to raise certain long-planted crops in the U.S. That has led some, including farmers in California and Florida, to turn to non-traditional crops such as coffee, which is typically grown in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.
Macy?s seeking to hire 76K before Black Friday09/22/2021
Macy’s announced plans to hire 76,000 full- and part-time workers ahead of the Christmas selling season. The department store retailer said about 21,200 of the new hires will be put to work in its fulfillment centers. About 28,000 positions will extend beyond the holidays.
Ted Lasso-like managers needed to cut turnover and lift performance09/22/2021
Workers don’t quit companies, they quit managers, as the adage goes. The reality behind that truism leads to significant expenses for American businesses that pay between one-half and two-times the amount of every worker leaving to find their replacement. The Emmy success of the Apple TV hit, Ted Lasso, has led columnist Michelle Singletary to…
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ThirdLove moves into activewear with sports bra line09/22/2021
ThirdLove is launching its own line of workout clothing including a range of sports bras that the lingerie startup has been working on for two years. The consumer-direct brand’s CEO and co-founder, Heidi Zak, sees an opportunity for growth. “It’s a competitive market for sure, but there’s no company that’s saying sports bra for women,…
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Mirror CEO steps down, Lululemon looks for successor09/22/2021
Brynn Putnam has stepped down as the chief executive officer of Mirror. Ms. Putnam, who founded the at-home fitness platform in 2016, remained with the company following its acquisition by Lululemon last year. She will continue as an advisor to the company through July of next year. Three current Mirror executives will head up Mirror…
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?Commerce at Home? called retail?s next frontier09/21/2021
Ron Johnson, a former executive at J.C. Penney, Apple and Target, says that “Commerce at Home” represents the next frontier in retailing. Highlighting his experience at Apple, Mr. Johnson writes, “One of the most frequent compliments I heard from customers leaving the Genius Bar was: ‘I wish I could take you home with me.'” Mr.…
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Bottleneck continues at West Coast ports09/21/2021
Container ships carrying cargo from Asia country’s continue to wait offshore to secure berths at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The traffic congestion has been caused by a surge in demand fueled by retailers looking to replenish product inventories ahead of the Christmas holiday season.