E-Commerce

Amazon's Hiring for the Holidays
October 14, 2016 at 9:24 am

Amazon.com is planning to add 120,000 seasonal workers this holiday season. The company created the seasonal positions in an effort to meet an expected spike in demand as more people trade in-store shopping for online. Jobs will be created at fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in 27 states. The move marks a…

FlyPolar Uses AI to Increase Conversion Rates
October 13, 2016 at 10:44 am

FlyPolar is a fast-growing e-commerce fashion brand specializing in “hip, comfortable, casual wear.” The retailer has opened physical locations across the U.S. after graduating from a single outlet store in Ohio. Yet FlyPolar maintains a strong online presence, with the majority of its sales coming from its website. “Most of our customers are men and…

Not Thinking of Santa and Singles Day Yet? You Should Be 
October 13, 2016 at 10:42 am

If you’re not already planning for Black Friday and Singles Day, then you’re behind schedule. The National Retail Federation reported that online and other non-brick-and-mortar holiday sales increased by 9 percent during the 2015 holiday season, to $105 billion. Compared to the overall 3 percent growth for all of 2015 holiday sales, it’s clear that…

Macy’s Plans Online Launch in China
October 12, 2016 at 1:27 pm

Macy's is growing its online presence. The Cincinnati-based retailer announced last week it will launch a website in China to expand its digital footprint in the world's largest e-commerce market. Macy's began selling in China last November when it opened a storefront on Tmall Global. Its shop has become one of the most popular on…

Amazon Plans to Open Convenience Stores
October 11, 2016 at 11:20 am

According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com plans to open convenience stores that sell milk, produce and other consumables, as well as drive-up destinations where shoppers can have their orders brought to their cars. People familiar with the strategy told the paper that shoppers could use their smartphones or screens scattered around the shops to place their…

A Retailer's Guide to Holiday Preparations
October 11, 2016 at 10:29 am

Though it's only October, retailers are already deep into holiday preparations. The next few months could be a make-or-break time for retailers, especially those with challenged earnings during the first half of the year. With the National Retail Federation forecasting increased consumer spending over last year’s holiday season for both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, forward-minded…

Analyzing the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Merger
October 11, 2016 at 9:34 am

Bass Pro Shops acquired outdoor retailer Cabela’s last week in a deal valued at $4.5 billion. The two supply superstores cater to those with a love of the wilderness, specializing in supplies for hunting, fishing and camping. While it remains unclear whether this acquisition will lead to any store closures for Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops…

3 Retail Predictions for 2017
October 10, 2016 at 5:11 pm

I don’t know about you, but 2016 was a whirlwind of a year for our two brands, Total Retail and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. This year, we launched several new products, produced more events than we ever have before and planned for many new research initiatives that will be coming up in the year…