Articles By Anna Rose Welch

  1. Sports Authority Tests New Intuitive Store Format In Puerto Rico 10/23/2013

    Sports Authority recently opened its first Puerto Rican store in Ponce on October 19. This is the first store to debut a new format the company is describing as “intuitive” because it enables customers to find what they need easily. The store, with its specialty sport shops and spacious layout, has been designed to ensure each customer has a good shopping experience. The company has hired more than 70 new employees for the Ponce store, however the anticipation is to hire more employees in San Juan, where the company will be opening two more stores.

  2. Illinois Supreme Court Strikes Down “Amazon Tax” 10/23/2013

    On Friday, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the law commonly known as the Amazon Tax that requires large, out of state retailers, like Amazon, to collect sales taxes from its in-state, online performance marketers. Following a victory in the lower state courts, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the law “void and unenforceable” because it violated the Tax Freedom Act of 1998, prohibiting discriminatory taxes on e-commerce.

  3. Target Channels Apple In Remodeled Electronics Departments 10/21/2013

    Recently, several Target stores have begun boasting redesigned, minimalist-style electronics departments in order to give customers a much desired, more hands-on experience with the latest technology and to decrease showrooming. In recent years, companies like Apple and Best Buy have perfected the art of brightly lit tables and displays that encourage people to touch and directly experience items, a process which can encourage interaction and lead to more in-store sales.

  4. CVS Launches Revolutionary Online “myWeekly Ad” Sales Circular 10/21/2013

    CVS has announced the launch of myWeekly Ad, a digital weekly sales circular, powered by the CVS ExtraCare loyalty program, that provides personalized sales ads for each customer. Instead of having to browse through an entire paper circular to find relevant offers, customers can now sign up for myWeekly Ad and be informed immediately about which of their favorite items are on sale, as well as browse through items that might be of interest based on their personal shopping history. This new program also enables customers to find their personalized ExtraCare savings and rewards in one place, informing them of all their available offers before they begin shopping.

  5. Family Dollar Spends CapEx On New Stores, Supply Chain Developments 10/18/2013

    Family Dollar reports that its $744 million fiscal 2013 capital expenditure has helped support the company’s investments in store openings and renovations, information technology, and supply chain improvements. Supply chain and fulfillment are key areas of interest for Family Dollar, with the company spending $76 million alone on supply chain improvements. One such improvement includes the addition of Jeff Macak, a 25-year industry veteran, who was recently hired to fill the position of EVP of supply chain. The company also celebrated the opening of its 11th distribution center, located in St. George, Utah

  6. Luxottica Announces $250 Million Investment In North American Expansion 10/18/2013

    Luxottica will be investing $250 million in North American business units. The company plans to open hundreds of new Lenscrafters stores, triple the size of Target Optical retail businesses, and upgrade Sunglass Hut stores located in Macy’s and shopping malls. This investment is part of Milan-based Luxottica’s goal of growing U.S. retail business by 20 percent to $3 billion by 2016. Currently, sales in North America account for 60 percent of the Italian company’s total sales, making North America a vital market for the company.

  7. CEO of Burberry Hired To Lead Apple's Retail Division 10/17/2013

    After a long search, Apple recently announced it has hired Burberry’s CEO Angela Ahrendts as SVP of its retail sales division. When she begins the position in the spring, Ahrendts will be responsible for overseeing both strategy and operations for Apple’s online and bricks-and-mortar stores. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, says that Ahrendts “shares our values and our focus on innovation, and she places the same strong emphasis as we do on the customer experience.”

  8. Neiman Marcus Takes On Amazon In $100 Million Omni-channel Project 10/16/2013

    Over the next two years, Neiman Marcus Group plans to invest $100 million in a new omni-channel project that will launch a ship-to-store delivery option and a new mobile app. The company is making these enhancements to better compete with larger online retailers like Amazon and brick-and-mortar chains that already offer ship-from-store and mobile initiatives. The launch of this new omni-channel strategy also has been timed with the $6 billion sale of the company to Los Angeles-based Ares Management and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The sale is expected to close on Nov 4.

  9. Chico's White House Black Market Enters Canadian Market 10/16/2013

    Chico’s has announced its first international store opening with a White House Black Market location in Toronto on October 24. This store opening is the first of the company’s three upcoming international expansions into Canada. The woman’s retailer also will be opening White House Black Market stores in Mississauga on October 29 and Newmarket on November 12.

  10. OfficeMax Services Center Provides Support For Business Owners 10/15/2013

    On October 8th, OfficeMax announced the launch of its new Services Center. Each Services Center, located throughout stores nationwide, will work to provide small to midsize business owners with all the administrative and business support they need to continue growing, including web design and maintenance, tech support, printing and document management, marketing materials, and credit card and payroll processing. OfficeMax has compiled a portfolio of national service providers, including North American Bancard, ADP, PAYCHEX, GoDaddy, and Carbonite Online Backup, to ensure the new Services Center provides valuable service to all clients.