Latest Bulletins

March 2021

Mar

HomeTown Pharmacy, Pyramid Foods & Carlie C’s IGA Dig Into AI To Better Serve Customers

A trio of independent retailers are taking steps to make their merchandising and marketing more data-driven through the use of artificial intelligence.

Mar

Michaels To Be Acquired In $3.3B Deal

The Michaels Companies will be acquired by global investment firm Apollo in a deal valued at $3.3 billion

Mar

Ahold Delhaize USA Announces Sustainability Goals

Ahold Delhaize USA, the parent company of Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop, has unveiled new health and sustainability goals as part of a detailed, purpose-driven strategy to enable customers to make healthier choices, create greater product transparency, eliminate waste and taking bold climate action, all in support of developing a more sustainable food supply chain.

Mar

Retailers Expect to Continue Leaning Into Virtual Meetings Post-Pandemic

While the pandemic has prompted a rapid increase in virtual meetings, some retailers expect the trend to stick after its conclusion.

Mar

Zumiez Taps Analytics and Enterprise Planning to Accelerate Finance Transformation

Apparel and footwear retailer Zumiez will use advanced analytics and enterprise planning to accelerate its digital finance transformation. Learn how.

Mar

Nordstrom Leans Into Smart Fitness with Latest Store Concept

Nordstrom is teaming with smart fitness brand Tonal for a series of concept customer experience areas.

Mar

Sephora Bringing BOPIS to All Freestanding Stores

In addition to launching more than 60 freestanding locations and 200 locations inside Kohl’s stores later this year — making the beauty retailer’s largest store expansion — Sephora is also launching buy-online-pickup-in-store at all freestanding stores by April.

February 2021

Feb

Urban Outfitters Increases Volume of Customer Transactions by 25% Through Virtual Customer Experiences

Urban Outfitters has successfully bolstered ongoing customer engagement and sales during COVID-19 through virtual customer experiences. Learn how.

Feb

enVista Unveils Subscription Management Capabilities

The new service will enable retailers to leverage subscription selling models and expand customer service opportunities.

Feb

Knot Standard Introduces Digital Stylist Store

Premium custom clothing retailer Knot Standard has introduced a fully-virtual showroom experience for new and existing customers. Learn how it's allowing the retailer to personalize the digital shopping experience.

Feb

Kroger Discloses Involvement in Data Breach

Grocery chain Kroger is the latest retailer to suffer a data breach. Learn how it is among the victims of a breach involving third-party vendor Accellion’s file-transfer service.

Feb

Crocs Automates Media Management To Boost Digital CX

Crocs is putting the kibosh on poorly cropped images in its new media management lifecycle initiative.

Feb

Tractor Supply Acquiring Orscheln Farm and Home for $297M

Tractor Supply Company will acquire Orscheln Farm and Home, a farm and ranch retailer with 167 stores in the Midwest, for approximately $297 million in cash.

Feb

Aptos Picks Up LS Retail

Aptos will acquire LS Retail, a provider of software tech solutions for retail, hospitality, food service, pharmacy and forecourt businesses.

Feb

SnapBlooms Launches Nationwide E-commerce Platform for Flower Delivery

Learn how the SnapBlooms website connects customers from all over the U.S. with local florists, allowing them to purchase from a wide range of high-quality flowers locally.

Feb

VTEX Acquires Workarea

The acquisition expands VTEX's U.S. and Canada customer base, adding $1 billion in annual GMV with new customers such as Reformation, Sleep Number and The Bouqs Co.

Feb

First Look: Nordstrom NYC Launches New Center Stage Pop-Up

Nordstrom has opened Black Founders, its latest Center Stage activation at Nordstrom NYC, in celebration of Black History Month. Learn more about the two month-long pop-up shop.

Feb

Sephora Relaunches Incubator Program

Sephora has announced the eight selected brands who will participate in the retailer’s 2021 Accelerate incubator program, which for the first time ever features a cohort comprised exclusively of founders of color.

Feb

ALDI Adding Curbside Grocery Pickup to 500 More Stores

The company is also opening 100 new stores this year, with a specific focus on Arizona, California, Florida and the Northeast.

Feb

Biometric Checkout Comes to Hotel Convenience Store

A hotel convenience store in Japan is implementing a checkout-free experience leveraging biometric authentication technology.

Feb

Lush Cosmetics Moves to Global Cloud Communications

Lush employees—who are increasingly working remotely—can now communicate with customers and peers across multiple channels, from any location, and on any device. Get the details.

Feb

GNC Powers Content-Driven Online Experiences

GNC is competing in today's crowded e-commerce market by creating a seamless, engaging customer experience across web, mobile and other channels to increase customer loyalty. Learn how.

Feb

KFC and Taco Bell Franchisee Taps AI During COVID-19

A top QSR operator has deployed a prescriptive, predictive artificial intelligence platform to gain competitive advantage in the face of the pandemic.

Feb

SageNet Acquires Digital Signage Provider Convergent

Managed network services and cybersecurity solutions provider SageNet has acquired Convergent, a digital signage products and services provider to Fortune 1000 companies.

Feb

Famous Dave’s Boosting Last-Mile Logistics

Barbeque chain Famous Dave’s is boosting its last-mile delivery capabilities in order to meet today's strong demand for takeout and delivery.

Feb

Uber Acquiring Drizly In $1.1B Deal

Drizly, which is in compliance with local regulations in more than 1,400 cities, works with local retailers to provide consumers with beer, wine and alcohol.

Feb

Ulta Beauty Investing in Associates As Part of $25 Million D&I Plans

In order to help foster an inclusive, bias-free and equitable workplace for its associates, Ulta will make investments to advance associate competencies and foster greater collaboration.

January 2021

Jan

UST Launches Frictionless Shopping Solution

After successful pilot with Ahold Delhaize’s services company the solution is now being offered to the general public.

Jan

Zadig & Voltaire Reimagines Retail Planning and Allocation

Zadig & Voltaire now has a centralized planning platform to unify its buying, allocation and replenishment processes across its stores and online channel.

Jan

Grocery Chain Coborn’s Boosts Customer Retention With Digital Personalization

Midwest grocer Coborn’s has improved its customer retention efforts by more than 350% thanks to technology that creates and delivers personalized offers to shoppers.

Jan

Amazon to Expand Boston Tech Hub and Add Technology Jobs

More technology positions are coming to Boston, including those in software development, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. Learn about Amazon's plans to expand operations in the area.

Jan

Surefront Launches at NRF 2021

The collaboration platform for retailers and their suppliers streamlines the tools needed for merchandising, product development and internal/external communications.

Jan

Pet Supplies Plus Finds a Buyer for $700M

Sentinel Capital Partners plans to sell Pet Supplies Plus, the third largest pet specialty chain in the U.S., for $700 million. Find out which company will acquire the franchisor and operator.

Jan

Trax and Blue Yonder Team Up for AI-Powered Workforce Management

Retail tech provider Trax is teaming with Blue Yonder, a provider of digital supply chain and omnichannel commerce fulfillment solutions, to launch Dynamic Workforce Management.

Jan

Dallas Travelers Can Now Just Walk Out at Hudson Store

Travel retailer Hudson will use Amazon’s Just Walk Out cashierless technology in select stores, with the first to open in Q1 at Dallas Love Field Airport.

Jan

Sally Beauty Scaling CX Capabilities As Digital Needs Grow

Sally Beauty Holdings has teamed with Salesforce to improve its customer experience capabilities.

Jan

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Adds Macy’s Veteran to Unlock Value Potential

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has tasked a Macy’s veteran with “unlocking the potential” of its personal care and beauty chain. Find out who has been added to the BB&B team and the retailer's plans.

Jan

Walmart’s CEO of U.S. E-Commerce Marc Lore Announces Retirement

Lore has notified Walmart he will retire from his position of executive vice president, president and CEO, U.S. eCommerce, effective January 31, 2021.

Jan

Christopher & Banks Begins Store Closing Sales

Apparel retailer Christopher & Banks has filed for Chapter 11 and begun the store closing process at more than 400 stores nationally.

Jan

Target Had a Happy Holiday Season

Target’s retail strategy was on target again this holiday season. November/December comp sales grew 17% and its curbside service spiked 500%. Find out why else Target had a happy holiday.

Jan

SAS Partners With C.H. Robinson to Grow Supply Chain Agility

Data analytics provider SAS and global logistics company C.H. Robinson have partnered to improve supply chain efficiency.

Jan

Filippa K Deploys RFID Platform to Boost Supply Chain Accuracy

Swedish fashion retailer Filippa K is leveraging RFID to improve its inventory accuracy and increase product availability throughout its retail supply chains and stores.

Jan

Amazon Expanding Operations in Metro Detroit

Amazon.com is opening five new buildings to support operations closer to customers in the metro Detroit area, including its fourth fulfillment center in the state using Amazon robotics to help associates pick, pack and ship smaller items to customers. Learn more.

Jan

Ahold Delhaize USA Pilots UV Disinfection Robot

Retail Business Services (RBS), the services company of grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, is piloting newly launched ultraviolet (UV) disinfection robots from Ava Robotics to manage COVID-19-related and other cleaning needs. Get the details.

Jan

Bed Bath & Beyond Brings On Patty Wu as SVP, GM for Buybuy Baby

Most recently chief commercial officer at Beautycounter, Wu will be tasked with growing Buybuy Baby and its customer base by executing the strategy and capital investment outlined during the retailer’s Investor Day in the fall.

Jan

Walgreens to Sell Drug Wholesale Business for $6.5B

Walgreens Boots Alliance has entered a deal to sell the majority of its Alliance Healthcare Businesses to AmerisourceBergen for $6.5 Billion. Get the details.

Jan

NRF Says Latest Stimulus Will Help Continue Recovery from Pandemic

Economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic will continue in 2021, but stimulus legislation signed into law just after Christmas will help maintain and accelerate the nation’s ongoing recovery, NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said. Hear more.

Jan

Team Green: Burton Snowboards Partners with Mtn Dew for One World

Mtn Dew and Burton Snowboards are teaming on behalf of sustainability as part of a new partnership known as One World. With a full-length feature film of the same name, a dozen episodes of digital content and a limited-edition capsule collection made of recycled materials, One World intends to celebrate the connection between snowboarding, curiosity and a respect for the environment. The film was also produced in partnership with Toyota, Plartec and Bank of the West.

December 2020

Dec

Amazon to Open New Fulfillment Centers and Delivery Station

Amazon.com plans to open two new fulfillment centers, including a new 750,000-square-foot robotics fulfillment center, as well as a new delivery station. Learn what the expansion means for San Antonio, TX.

Dec

DICK'S Sporting Goods Partners to Offer Same-Day Delivery

DICK'S Sporting Goods has partnered to launch same-day delivery from more than 150 stores. Get the details.

Dec

Hy-Vee Tapping Into Local Brands at Quarterly Summits in 2021

The retailer is currently accepting submissions for its “Best of Brands” summits online in the following categories: grocery, produce, deli, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, and health and beauty care.

Dec

Tapestry Modernizes Its IT infrastructure

Tapestry, the parent company of Coach New York, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, has migrated its SAP environment to the cloud to help fuel the company’s growth. Get the details.

Dec

Amazon Rolls Out Returns at Whole Foods Market

Amazon has made another move to make returning orders stress-free and convenient as possible this holiday season. Get the details.

Dec

Foot Locker Names New CIO

Foot Locker has named a former Michaels executive its new SVP, CIO. Learn which seasoned executive will oversee the execution of the next generation of Foot Locker's strategic technology agenda.

Dec

Boston Market Rolling Out New POS Nationwide

Boston Market is turning to the cloud. Learn how it will update its POS hardware and software across all 350 restaurants to be able to implement new technology quickly.

Dec

Bed Bath & Beyond Selling Off Cost Plus World Market Business

The agreement includes 243 brick-and-mortar locations, the CPWM digital business, two distribution facilities and a corporate office.

Dec

Nike Explores Holograms For That Perfect Fit

The No. 14 retailer is leveraging Omnivor’s Holograms for Retail technology for its Virtual View feature at Finish Line and JD Sport. Using the tech, shoppers can select a hologram that matches their size and body type and then build a virtual dressing room in their homes.

Dec

Yankee Candle Brings Santa Into Homes

Learn how Yankee Candle is spreading some virtual cheer to families this year.

Dec

Wakefern Increasing Access to Consumer Behavior Insights

Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, is expanding its relationship with consumer intelligence provider Catalina to help brands better understand shopper behavior.

Dec

Yesway Appoints New CIO

Convenience store chain Yesway has appointed a new CIO and SVP of Human resources, and opened a new corporate office. Find out which seasoned execs snagged the new positions.

Dec

Best Buy Canada Updating POS and Loyalty

Uncover how Best Buy Canada is updating its in-store POS and loyalty to integrate with its e-commerce.

Dec

JCPenney Exits Bankruptcy

JCPenney has exited Chapter 11, bought by Simon Property Group and Brookefield Asset Management. Get the details on the deal that saves the historic retailer.

Dec

7-Eleven Introduces In-App Contactless Payment

7‑Eleven's new app-based mobile wallet offers all customers — including those who would like to load cash — a contactless way to pay. Learn how.

Dec

Price Chopper Supermarkets Taps Machine Learning To Deliver Omnichannel Personalization

Price Chopper Supermarkets and Market 32 will leverage advanced machine learning algorithms to provide personalized, seamless experience for their customers. Learn how.

Dec

Stein Mart Website to be Re-Launched Early 2021

A subsidiary of Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV) placed the winning bid of $6.02 million for the intellectual property of Stein Mart Inc. Learn how REV expects to re-launch the off-price fashion and home goods retailer as an online-only store early next year.