Stores Weekly

“People who own retail stores should not think of themselves as always being retailers,” says self-described “serial entrepreneur” Sir Richard Branson in offering thoughts for retailers as they struggle to keep their footing in today’s environment. “They need to spin off businesses on the back of their retail that can make them money to help the retail stores to survive.”

Visit https://nrf.com/news/the-ballad-of-optimist to view the full article online.

When GameStop learned that customers wanted more themed merchandise tied to games or entertainment, the company launched a chain of stores called Zing devoted solely to “loot,” which represents annual sales of $500 million. Meanwhile, in response to customers’ increased interest in nutrition, Vitamin Shoppe has begun offering consultation spaces and sampling stations.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/data-delight to view the full article online.

New York-based accelerator XRC Labs hosted a quartet of “dynamic disruptors” at Retail’s BIG Show. Founders of Banter, Perseus, ShopShops and Strypes each showed how their enterprises fit into the broader landscape of retail evolution and digital commerce.

Visit https://medium.com/nrf-events/4-startups-closing-the-gap-between-retailers-and-customers-f17a50e7695c#.ve6tlkbqk to view the full article online.

Jomaree Pinkard, Robin Helfand and John Cafarelli all turned their personal passions and hobbies into thriving small businesses. Key to their success was identifying which opportunities were right for the moment, as well as understanding and engaging their customer base — and for Helfand, 3-foot-long gummy worms didn’t hurt.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/focusing-the-consumer to view the full article online.

The U.S. Ski Team is getting a super boost at the FIS Alpine World Cup Championship this week. Selected team members will be outfitted in race suits that recall Captain America and Captain Marvel, part of a two-year collaboration between performance brand Spyder and Disney Consumer Products, for a line of ski performance products inspired by iconic Marvel Super Heroes.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/stores-trends-february-2017#ski to view the full article online.

Rather than fine china, silverware and home goods, why not register for something useful? Domino’s Wedding Registry was created “for couples who prefer delicious melty cheese to crystal gravy boats.” Gifting options include $25 to cover the “Post-Honeymoon Adjustment to Real Life.”

Visit https://nrf.com/news/stores-trends-february-2017#Dominos to view the full article online.

Want real-time reactions? Augmented reality apparel company Drawsta makes it possible to change the design on a T-shirt, through use of an app that layers animations on the fabric. A new animation is available every week; a “Statement” line allows consumers to choose their own message and color palette.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/stores-trends-february-2017#drawsta to view the full article online.

The imposition of a “border adjustment tax,” a key provision of a current tax reform proposal, would end up seriously harming U.S. consumers. Ernst and Young’s analysis, commissioned by NRF, says the measure could cost the average family $1,700 in the first year alone.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/border-adjustment-tax-would-cost-american-households-1700-first-year-alone to view the full article online.

Like many successful startup founders, Lana Hopkins was motivated by her own frustration as a consumer. Hopkins solved her own problem of finding the perfect handbag by launching Mon Purse, a technology-fueled retail company that creates customized, luxury leather goods. Two years later, Mon Purse is a full-fledged retail business that’s grown 8,000 percent.

Visit https://nrf.com/news/mon-purse-lets-shoppers-drive-design to view the full article online.

NRF is once again collaborating with University of Phoenix to offer the Dream BIG Scholarship to retail workers who want to enhance their careers through education. In 2016, 20 recipients received full-tuition scholarships to help them pursue their big dreams. Applications this year are open through March 31. Share this link to change a retail employee’s life.

Visit https://nrf.com/career-center/scholarships/dream-big-scholarship to view the full article online.

Whole Foods Market has selected dunnhumby as a strategic partner to evolve the retailer’s category management and merchandising fueled by customer data and insights. The partnership will enable Whole Foods Market to create the shopping experiences customers want, helping them find the products, services, brands, sizes and flavors they are looking for faster and easier.

 

Iconic quick-service pizza restaurant Sbarro has licensed ArrowStream’s OnDemand software to support managing food spend, contracts and inventory tracking.

 

CAVA has selected PAR’s cloud-based Brink point-of-sale software, EverServ 8000 point-of-sale terminals, PAR Tablets and Kitchen Display System for all current 23 locations, with plans to open an additional 10 restaurants in 2017.

 

Adyen, a payments technology company, increased transaction volume 80 percent year-over-year, totaling $90 billion in 2016. Adyen also unveiled successful in-store and omnichannel payment solutions for customers like Tory Burch and Burberry.