Retail Industry Archive

Youth-oriented shops and off-price retailers, those that handle close out goods from other stores, are most likely to see comparable store sales advances over the next 75 days, says a study from Prosper Technologies and BIGresearch. Consumers still are reluctant to spend, but the ForecastIQ study indicated that a handful of retailers look to enjoy gains in their comparable store sales, those in...

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New York City has been the subject of any number of interesting delivery services over the years but few that have quite as unique a take on pricing as Big Box Deliveries. It may be unique, but question must be asked, is it superior? Basically, Big Box Deliveries shops at Costco for Manhattanites who can’t or won’t. The new service, developed for doorman buildings on Manhattan’s...

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In its 75th anniversary year, Meijer is going back to its roots, developing a grocery-oriented format it will test in Niles, Ill. While half the size of a typical Meijer supercenter, the new format won’t be tiny, coming in at 102,000 square feet. It is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2010 and will be grocery and pharmacy focused, according to the company, while still offering...

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Ken Hicks, who had been J.C. Penney’s president and chief merchandising officer, should help Foot Locker strengthen product presentation and take a position in the market that more effectively distinguishes it from the competition as he takes on the job there of president and CEO. Hicks has been deeply involved in J.C. Penney’s recent initiatives such as the launch of the American Living...

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A privacy bill under consideration in Washington would significantly impact retail through provisions that would spell out how companies would have to protect customer data and what they must do if information is compromised, yet, as worrisome as that might be for some, any concern is essentially moot because a Massachusetts regulation with substantially the same provisions will go into effect...

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The recent news that Dress Barn is acquiring Tween Brands in a $157-million deal left some industry observers scratching their heads. What would a retailer that outfits working women want with a group of chains targeting girls that are teen-aged and younger? On the surface, it makes very little sense, especially given that many retailers are shutting down off-shoot concepts in favor of...

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Bed, Bath & Beyond posted earning per share of 34 cents in the fiscal first quarter, beating the 30 cents per share it posted in last year’s period and analyst estimates, which positions the company to continue investing in a diversification strategy that today even includes the test of an in-store natural products operation offering health and beauty aids and grocery items. In a...

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As the economy began its descent last year, dollar stores and related value retailers already were experiencing increased consumer spending, Nielsen Co. studies demonstrate, with high- and middle-income shoppers contributing in ways that suggest a significant alteration in shopping habits. In its research, Nielsen takes a broad view of what constitutes the dollar store category. Although many...

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Mother Nature was not on the side of retail in June, permitting few sunny spots where seasonal products could bask in better sales, and her July temperament may not improve in time for Independence day. Not in the Northeast, where many found themselves wondering on the first day of summer when winter was going to end. For June, Northeastern cities may attain the highest number of days with...

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Barnes & Noble has opened up a second New York flagship bookstore in Manhattan as a 55,000 square foot multi-level location offering more than 400,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles as well as the almost obligatory café serving Starbucks coffee. The company envisions the store as a neighborhood gathering place and has equipped it to that purpose. To get locals in to see the offering,...

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