Articles By Anna Rose Welch

41. Maintaining PCI Compliance Still Challenges Retailers 2/18/2014

    Verizon report shows retailers struggle to maintain PCI Security Standards.

42. Home Depot Bolsters Online Business With New Direct Fulfillment Center 2/14/2014

    In the wake of rising online sales, the company plans two additional DFCs to improve customer service.

43. Kroger Acquires Digital Coupon Provider YOU Technology 2/13/2014

    Kroger is set to keep providing its customers with millions more digital coupons. This week, it announced its acquisition of digital coupons and promotions provider, YOU Technology Brand Services.

44. Whole Foods Chooses Square For In-Store Payments 2/13/2014

    This is Square’s second major in-store payments deal with a Top 100 Retailer.

45. Sears Furthers Omni-Channel Initiatives With Curbside Pickup 2/12/2014

    Sears has made another addition to its omni-channel offerings to cater to Shop Your Way members in a rush. The new service allows loyalty members to select curbside pickup for goods they order online. And for an added bonus — they’ll get the items in five minutes or less upon arrival at the store. Online shoppers that make a purchase online are directed to specify in-vehicle pickup during the checkout process. From there, they provide the store with details about their vehicle, sign into their Shop Your Way mobile app and enable location services before leaving for the store. Once a customer arrives at the store and parks in the designated pick-up location, a timer will start on the phone (through the recently launched Shop’In app feature) and within five minutes, an associate should be there to deliver the goods to the customer’s car.

46. Expect Modest Valentine's Day Spending, NRF Reports 2/11/2014

    Valentine’s Day spending survey shows fewer consumers celebrating this year.

47. Retail Sales To Rise 4.1 Percent In 2014, NRF Says 2/10/2014

    Despite a slow start to the year, retailers plan innovations and develop strategies to draw shoppers. The NRF is expecting retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) to increase 4.1 percent in 2014. Similarly, as more consumers begin and end their shopping online, the NRF also predicts that online sales will increase by 9 to 12 percent.

48. Michael Kors Reports Phenomenal Third Quarter, Holiday Season 2/10/2014

    Omni-channel initiatives help Michael Kors successfully target Millennial consumers. Luxury brand Michael Kors has seen some more unparalleled success during its third quarter — putting more pressure on other luxury retailers, such as Coach, which reported its lowest same-store increase in 13 years. Total revenue for Michael Kors during its third quarter once again overshot analyst expectations to impressive levels, increasing 59 percent and hitting $1 billion (analysts were expecting roughly $860 million). Same store sales also surged by 24 percent as consumers flocked to stores for the brand’s accessories and watch collections.

49. International E-Commerce Poised To Reach $50 Billion By 2020 2/7/2014

    New research highlights the opportunities awaiting U.S. online retailers overseas. International e-commerce is expected to increase significantly over the next six years, OC&C Strategy Consultants announced with the release of its new report, “The Global Retail e-mpire.” According to the report, international sales from U.S. online retailers will see a big jump from $11 billion in 2014 to roughly $50 billion by 2020. Should international sales hit $50 billion in 2020, they would account for 16 percent of the overall U.S. online retail market. In 2014, sales abroad are only expected to account for 7 percent of total U.S. retail sales volume, meaning if all goes as predicted, this percentage will more than double by 2020.

50. ShopRite Pilots Scan And Pay Mobile App 2/6/2014

    Grocery shoppers can now scan and pay for their groceries, no cash register necessary. Busy ShopRite grocery shoppers no longer need to worry about getting stuck in long lines at the cash register. ShopRite announced earlier this week that it is piloting a new Mobile Scan app, which will enable customers to scan the items in their grocery carts with their smartphones and pay by syncing their phones to a designated pay station. This app, which is still in the pilot stages, is currently being offered in eight New Jersey and Connecticut locations.