Mobile sales increased 23 percent year over year during Holiday 2016, comprising $28.4 billion of the $91.7 billion tallied in online sales. More than half of the retailers surveyed for the latest State of Retailing Online study listed mobile commerce among top initiatives — but where should they focus energy and capital?

San Francisco’s status as a bike-friendly city is well-established, and Mike’s Bikes has taken full advantage of that. The chain is known for outstanding customer service; a cloud-based instant messaging system from Zinc is helping employees in its 12 stores communicate quickly and effectively.

After online watchers dug into the White House Press Secretary’s social media history and noted his well-documented dislike of Dippin’ Dots, the ice cream brand gave a lesson in public relations. CEO Scott Fischer’s response, which included the offer of an ice cream social at the White House, received press coverage on NPR and CNN, among other outlets.

UNTUCKit’s physical stores echo the company’s signature “dishelved business-casual” shirt: all practical, no glitz or glamour. Each location has homegrown touches and features one of each shirt style on mannequins or hangers.

The digital edition of STORES’ April 2017 issue is now available! The magazine is packed with must-read pieces including the articles featured here.

Nominations are now open for “The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future,” which honors 25 retail disruptors, dreamers, givers, influencers and power players each year. It’s easy to nominate someone whose imagination, inspiration and innovation is having a true impact on the industry.

Earlier this year, NRF launched an advertising campaign far outside the comfort zone for most trade associations. NRF’s Tony Fontana looks at three lessons learned from the “BAT Tax” campaign that used over-the-top parody to draw attention to an important-but-complicated issue.

NRF’s regional dinner series continues this spring with Digital Dinners in Chicago on April 18 and New York on May 4. These networking events are held throughout the year and offer retailers opportunities to connect with industry peers from around the world. Registration is free for retailers but space is limited.

Dassault Systèmes, a 3D software leader, announced that Fossil Group, a global lifestyle accessories company, is using “My Collection” industry solution experience for consumer goods and retail companies, to develop and manage the lifecycles of its diverse and differentiated products.

IRI, a leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail, media and over-the-counter health care companies, has entered into a strategic alliance with Freshub, a pioneer of Smart Kitchen Commerce solutions that bring together grocery retailers and appliance manufacturers to make the IoT-driven Smart Kitchen a reality. The new relationship will enable IRI and Freshub to provide retailers with relevant, dynamic and actionable information based on traditional data sources, as well as IoT-based data sources.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza has deployed the Paytronix-powered Coal Fired Club Rewards and Gift Card programs, developed by Paytronix Systems, Inc., to more than 60 restaurants. The new, user-friendly rewards program enables guests to accumulate points with every purchase and earn bigger and better rewards.

Hudson’s Bay has partnered with global footwear brand Teva on a limited-edition collaboration that launches this week, exclusively in Canada at Hudson’s Bay stores and thebay.com. The collaboration is also available at Teva.com. The collection offers two styles for men and women that combine the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company stripes with the functional design that defines Teva.

Prestige beauty company Designer Parfums has announced a new fragrance partnership with world renowned actress, singer, entertainer and producer, Jennifer Lopez. Working alongside Dilesh Mehta, Chairman and CEO of Designer Parfums, they will create new brand innovation and strategy to drive global growth for Lopez’s fragrance franchise.

Whole Foods Market announced the release of co-founder and CEO John Mackey’s newest book, The Whole Foods Diet: The Lifesaving Plan for Health and Longevity. The book offers a persuasive science-based analysis of the benefits of a primarily plant-based diet rich in unprocessed foods, along with practical tools for navigating food choices and making dietary and lifestyle changes.