Stores Weekly

First Edition

Allbirds is betting on being totally ahead of the curve. The eco-shoe concept came from New Zealand native Tim Brown, who thought comfortable and environmentally friendly shoes could be created from his country’s native merino wool. He teamed up with sustainability expert Joey Zwillinger and developed a sneaker-like shoe inspired by natural materials that’s impacted the entire footwear industry.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/09/shoe-in/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=Allbirds to view the full article online.

What’s behind the relaunch of H.H. Gregg?

Eli Sapharti remembers when the first H.H. Gregg store opened up near him in South Florida. In the consumer electronics business his entire life, Sapharti was curious but found the experience less than positive. These days, however, as general manager of the revived H.H. Gregg brand, Sapharti is charged with righting the wrongs of the past.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/09/a-new-kind-of-store/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=HHGregg to view the full article online.

Retailers and other businesses are hiring workers they might not have considered a few years ago

Everyone deserves a second chance, the adage goes. But how does that sentiment affect formerly incarcerated individuals who have done their time and want to re-enter the workforce? A growing number of employers are embracing the “unemployable.” In fact, a quick online search returns a lengthy list of second-chance retail employers with re-entry programs .

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/10/second-chances/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=second%20chances to view the full article online.

Leveraging partnerships — and tracking results — to help drive major increases in revenue and market share

Online luggage retailer eBags was founded in Denver in 1998, which makes it practically an ecommerce pioneer. Like a lot of successful ecommerce pioneers, it was eventually acquired by a much larger brand, at least partly because it understood ecommerce. According to Blake Barnes, who leads digital marketing and analytics for the division, eBags is one of the largest online travel brands in the United States, with 2018 sales of over $40 million.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/10/who-makes-it-grow/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=eBags to view the full article online.

When others manage, Loomis solves

Introducing Titan R by Loomis. Part of our industry-leading SafePoint ecosystem, these cash recyclers combine the latest cash-handling technology and streamline cash management for cash intensive businesses in one end-to-end solution, all backed by our best-in-class customer support.

Learn More

Nashville discount chain looks to the cloud for a software update

With a proven model of discovery shopping that’s worked for giants like TJX and Big Lots!, discount retail has been an industry bright spot. Bargain Hunt, an 87-store discount chain based in suburban Nashville, is one of those operations. It’s grown quickly since 2004 into a regional powerhouse with locations spread throughout the southern and midwestern United States.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/10/bargain-hunt-finds-scheduling-answers/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=Bargain%20Hunt to view the full article online.

NRF is proud to provide our members with the online Retail Buying Guide to search for trusted vendors, products and services in the retail industry. Our guide is a user-friendly forum designed to bring suppliers and purchasers together. You can search by keyword, location, company name or category. Available whenever you need it, the Retail Buying Guide makes it easy to locate products and professional services geared to the retail industry. Click here to visit the online Retail Buying Guide! To advertise, please contact Sarah Allen for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrf-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=593615&issueID=64484 to view the full article online.

Trends

Customizable dolls a ‘reflection of culture’

Mattel has introduced Creatable World, a customizable doll that incorporates a variety of wardrobe options, accessories and wigs. Kim Culmone, senior vice president of Mattel fashion doll design, notes that toys are a reflection of culture, and recent celebration of the positive impact of inclusivity has led to the creation of a doll line “free of labels.”

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/11/customizable-dolls-a-reflection-of-culture/ to view the full article online.

Who knew a candy wrapper could be so useful?

KitKat is apparently still offering folks a break — and now it comes with everything needed to make an origami paper crane while they’re at it. Nestlé Japan is replacing its plastic KitKat wrappers with a water-resistant paper version that can be used to make the cranes, complete with instructions.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/11/who-knew-a-candy-wrapper-could-be-so-useful/ to view the full article online.

Dreamiest-ever desserts

This one goes straight to the heart of Generation Z: Dream Pops are unique, globally inspired, made with a 3D mold and decidedly Instagrammable. The startup lifestyle brand offers treats that are plant-based, non-dairy and soy-free.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/11/dreamiest-ever-desserts/ to view the full article online.

NRF News

Holiday shopping season starts strong

Consumer confidence is high this holiday season, according to NRF Director of Retail and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. In the latest episode of NRF’s Retail Gets Real podcast, Cullen breaks down Thanksgiving weekend shopping statistics to reveal some surprising data about generational purchasing behavior and what shoppers have left to do this season.

Visit https://nrf.com/blog/holiday-2019-starts-strong?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content= Ep%20148%20Holiday%20Update to view the full article online.

Retail imports surge ahead of tariff escalation

Imports at the nation’s major container ports bumped up significantly in November as retailers imported merchandise ahead of new tariffs set to take effect this weekend, according to the Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett Associates. A total of 1.95 million containers came into U.S. ports in November, up 8 percent year over year. December is expected to drop to 1.79 million containers because of the new tariffs and the usual falloff after the holiday season.

Visit https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/retail-imports-surged-november-ahead-december-tariffs?utm_medium= STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Port%20tracker&utm_content=43800 to view the full article online.

Cut TCO by 15% on barcode devices

Retailers have relied on rugged handheld devices for over 30 years to boost efficiency and productivity. All along, devices have suffered from failures due to charging contacts that get dirty, corrode, or break. Wireless charging prevents device failure, drastically reducing TCO. An enterprise can easily reduce TCO by 15% or more deploying wireless charging devices.

Download the White Paper

Organized retail crime continues to grow

Organized retail crime poses a serious threat to retailers as aggression by ORC gangs continues to rise. According to NRF’s annual survey, ORC costs retailers an average of $703,320 per $1 billion in sales. Over two-thirds of respondents said they’ve seen an increase over the past 12 months.

Visit https://nrf.com/research/2019-organized-retail-crime-survey?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=NRF%20Research&utm_content=ORC%20report to view the full article online.

National Retail Federation