Content about MIX

September 10, 2012

Bloomingdale’s and Microsoft team up on in-store engagement

Fashion and technology combine to surprise customers and engage them in new ways at Bloomingdale’s flagship in New York City and other locations across the country.

NEW YORK — Fashion and technology combine to surprise customers and engage them in new ways at Bloomingdale’s flagship in New York City and other locations across the country. The department store retailer had deployed a 3D virtual dressing room, called Swivel, which is supported by Microsoft Corp.’s Kinect for Windows motion sensing technology. With Swivel, customers can “try on” clothes without having to go through the actual physical process.

July 10, 2012

Target, Neiman Marcus design a new kind of partnership

Target and Neiman Marcus have joined forces for a unique partnership that will bring a limited-edition holiday collection to both stores beginning Dec. 1. The collection will also be available online at Target.com and NeimanMarcus.com.

MINNEAPOLIS and DALLAS — Target and Neiman Marcus have joined forces for a unique partnership that will bring a limited-edition holiday collection to both stores beginning Dec. 1. The collection will also be available online at Target.com and NeimanMarcus.com.

July 5, 2012

Macy’s and Kohl’s post disappointing results in June

Analysts expected 18 top retail chains to report a modest gains in June, as high unemployment and falling consumer confidence have taken a toll on spending.

NEW YORK — Analysts expected 18 top retail chains to report a modest gains in June, as high unemployment and falling consumer confidence have taken a toll on spending.

Among the department store retailers reporting June same-store results so far, the results were largely mixed. Macy’s was among the retailers reporting sales that fell short of estimates. Same-store sales rose 1.2% in June, missing Wall Street’s projected 1.9% gain.

June 25, 2012

Rubbermaid added to assortment at Office Depot

The storage solutions category at Office Depot got some new brand muscle this week as the company added Rubbermaid to the mix.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The storage solutions category at Office Depot got some new brand muscle this week as the company added Rubbermaid to the mix.

Rubbermaid products are now available nationwide at Office Depot stores and online at the retailer’s website. The announcement comes as promotional activity heats up around the back-to-college season which tends to start earlier and feature different product categories than K-through-12 back-to-school efforts.

May 31, 2012

Department store results mixed in May

When Macy’s reported a 4.2% May same-store sales gain on Wednesday, ahead of the rest of the pack, analysts wondered whether that would set the tone for the rest of the department store players. It did — and it didn’t.

NEW YORK — When Macy’s reported a 4.2% May same-store sales gain on Wednesday, ahead of the rest of the pack, analysts wondered whether that would set the tone for the rest of the department store players. It did — and it didn’t.

May 16, 2012

Circulars in the Digital Age

The steady erosion of newspaper circulations naturally has led many to predict that the printed ad circular is not much long for this world and will quickly disappear as consumers demand more digitized ads and coupons. Last year, the Associated Press, along with 32 other publishers and 30 retailers, launched iCircular to help stave off declining ad revenue. Even Google has jumped into the fray with the launch of Google Circulars, a service that creates digital versions of full-page print inserts normally found in newspapers, with the goal of “trying to get online visitors into [offline] stores.” From the stark decline in demand for print publications, it appears that printed circulars are well on their way to extinction…or are they?

February 21, 2012

Walmart had a “great” Christmas

Walmart’s U.S. stores division regained customer traffic during the fourth quarter to post a 1.5% same-store sales increase and continues gather momentum as familiar strategies and effective marketing are resonating with customers, the company said Tuesday morning in conjunction with the release of quarterly results.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s U.S. stores division regained customer traffic during the fourth quarter to post a 1.5% same-store sales increase and continues gather momentum as familiar strategies and effective marketing are resonating with customers, the company said Tuesday morning in conjunction with the release of quarterly results.

December 23, 2011

NRF concerned over longer breaks for truck drivers

The National Retail Federation said it was pleased with the decision by federal regulators to allow truck drivers to continue driving 11 hours a day, but expressed concern over a new requirement for longer weekly breaks.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it was pleased with the decision by federal regulators to allow truck drivers to continue driving 11 hours a day, but expressed concern over a new requirement for longer weekly breaks.

December 19, 2011

Family Dollar getting executive suite in place before new store, expanded assortment push

Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer. White will report to Mike Bloom, president and COO.

“Through Paul’s leadership and strategic vision, Family Dollar has created a compelling mix of discretionary merchandise, which has led to a more fun place to shop for our customers,” Bloom said. “Paul’s promotion will help us continue to broaden our appeal and deliver greater value to our customers.”

November 14, 2011

In case you missed it: Canada 101 recap

The Canada served up to Americans when they visit the country’s pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando is one of lumberjacks, lakes and abundant wildlife roaming virgin forests.

The Canada served up to Americans when they visit the country’s pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando is one of lumberjacks, lakes and abundant wildlife roaming virgin forests. While those elements exist, according to Jeff Doucette, a resident of Calgary in the Western province of Alberta and founder of the strategic consulting firm Sales Is Not Simple, the Canada portrayed at the Disney resort is far removed from the average Canadian’s daily existence and the marketplace Target will enter in 2013.

September 8, 2011

Piperlime names celebrity guest editors for fall season

Gap Inc.'s online boutiqe Piperlime announced that Rachel Bilson, Olivia Palermo and Byrdie Bell will join Rachel Zoe as guest editors to kick off the fall season.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc.'s online boutiqe Piperlime announced that Rachel Bilson, Olivia Palermo and Byrdie Bell will join Rachel Zoe as guest editors to kick off the fall season.

“The idea of hosting guest editors on Piperlime.com has been integral to who we are since the day we launched in 2006,” said Jennifer Gosselin, VP and general manager of Piperlime. “We started with Rachel Zoe and her popularity and reach has grown since then,” Gosselin continued.

August 29, 2011

Back-to-school ads didn’t make the grade

Target failed to crack a ranking of the top 10 most effective back-to-school ads compiled by Ace Metrix that was dominated by retail competitors and technology companies.

August 8, 2011

Consumer confidence takes a hit

The nation’s retailers can hope back-to-school shoppers haven’t been paying attention to the steady dose of dire economic news facing the nation the past week, but that’s pretty unlikely considering this is the information age.

June 20, 2011

Target gets Beyoncé exclusive

Target announced that an exclusive version of Beyoncé fourth solo album '“4” is now available for pre-order at Target.com/Beyonce and will be offered at Target stores nationwide and online beginning June 28.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that an exclusive version of Beyoncé fourth solo album '“4” is now available for pre-order at Target.com/Beyonce and will be offered at Target stores nationwide and online beginning June 28. A digital version of the deluxe edition is available at Target.com.

April 27, 2011

Consumer confidence up despite rising gas prices

Consumer confidence recovered somewhat in April, though the impact of rising gasoline prices is still evident, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board.

NEW YORK -- Consumer confidence recovered somewhat in April, though the impact of rising gasoline prices is still evident, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board.

The confidence index hit 65.4 in April, from an upwardly revised 63.8 in March. The reading is still below the 72.0 mark of February.

March 1, 2011

AutoZone powers through difficult economy

The nation’s largest automotive parts retailer announced another quarter of record results in which earnings per share advanced nearly 36% to $3.34 on same-store sales that grew 7.1% for the quarter ended Feb.12.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The nation’s largest automotive parts retailer announced another quarter of record results in which earnings per share advanced nearly 36% to $3.34 on same-store sales that grew 7.1% for the quarter ended Feb.12.

February 15, 2011

New apparel line offers women more to love at Kmart

Look out Lane Bryant. An exclusive line of plus-size apparel is launching this month at Kmart under the LYS brand names, which stands for love your style and love your size.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Look out Lane Bryant. An exclusive line of plus-size apparel is launching this month at Kmart under the LYS brand names, which stands for love your style and love your size. The LYS collection is said to feature trend forward separates that are designed to flatter plus-size women of all shapes and sizes including printed halters, skinny jeans and tunic dresses.

February 3, 2011

January sales adds more uncertainty to Walmart’s Q4

Retail sales during January offered a mix bag of results and made it rather tricky to determine how much results were influenced by harsh winter weather, gift card redemption rates, a still shaky economic recovery and individual company strategies.

A 1.7% same store sales increase at Target was below the company’s expectations, yet chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel maintained that the company’s major remodeling effort to add fresh food to existing stores and a 5% rewards program were generating results in line with expectations. Exceeding estimates was Costco, which produced a 6% same-store sales gain at its U.S. clubs that was aided to the tune of 200 basis points by gas price inflation. A big winner during the month was Limited’s Victoria’s Secret division, which posted a 24% comp increase.

January 24, 2011

New album is Martin’s first in six years

If you think of Ricky Martin as a one-hit wonder (who doesn’t remember “Livin’ la Vida Loca?”) guess again. Since that catchy pop tune was released more than 10 years ago, Martin became a bonafide superstar selling 65 million records worldwide. Now he has a memoir title “Me” on the New York Times Bestseller list and an exclusive agreement with Target to serve as a distribution partner for his 12th album, Musica + Alma + Sexo.

If you think of Ricky Martin as a one-hit wonder (who doesn’t remember “Livin’ la Vida Loca?”) guess again. Since that catchy pop tune was released more than 10 years ago, Martin became a bonafide superstar selling 65 million records worldwide. Now he has a memoir title Me on the New York Times Bestseller list and an exclusive agreement with Target to serve as a distribution partner for his 12th album, Musica + Alma + Sexo.

January 13, 2011

CCR is just the beginning, says Walgreens CEO

Walgreens’ massive Customer Centric Retailing initiative is transforming the way the company’s stores are merchandised and designed as it rolls into an ever-larger proportion of its more than 7,600 stores across the United States. But it’s only the opening drive in a campaign to “reinvent the customer experience in our stores,” president and CEO Greg Wasson told shareholders Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Walgreens’ massive Customer Centric Retailing initiative is transforming the way the company’s stores are merchandised and designed as it rolls into an ever-larger proportion of its more than 7,600 stores across the United States. But it’s only the opening drive in a campaign to “reinvent the customer experience in our stores,” president and CEO Greg Wasson told shareholders Wednesday.

October 12, 2010

Walmart plans 30 to 40 smaller stores next year

Between 30 and 40 small format Walmart stores are slated to open next year, Walmart...

Between 30 and 40 small format Walmart stores are slated to open next year, Walmart US president and CEO Bill Simon told investors at the company’s 17th annual analysts’ meeting on Wednesday.

Simon’s presentation at the meeting was highly anticipated as it was his first appearance at the event in the capacity of president and CEO, a role he assumed in late June, and due to the fact there was considerable speculation in advance of the event about Walmart’s plans for smaller stores.