Omnichannel

Healthcare costs are on the rise. This has a particularly big impact on the retail industry, as it's comprised primarily of an hourly workforce with limited options when it comes to obtaining affordable healthcare coverage. This presents retail HR executives with an obstacle to cultivating and retaining a healthy, productive group of employees. While employee…

There’s no question that technology is methodically being incorporated into consumers’ lives. Starbucks is making millions by allowing people to pre-order their afternoon coffees from its app. Disneyland has evolved its SpeedPasses into wearable bands that enable people to not only cut the ride lines, but also purchase food and toys via a linked credit…

The article below is an excerpt from Total Retail’s inaugural Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers report. Zumiez tied with DSW, UGG and Urban Outfitters for the No. 1 ranking on the list. Coming in first place on Total Retail’s inaugural ranking of the Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers is Zumiez, the clothing, footwear, accessories and hard goods…

Increasingly, consumers are taking charge, buying when they want, where they want and for what price. Not surprisingly, many retailers have difficulty engaging and personalizing communications and offers across multiple channels, including brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce sites, mobile apps, call centers and social media. This issue is compounded by the fact that most retailers’ internal systems…

With e-commerce now a normal part of everyday life, the number and frequency of in-person interactions is decreasing, and sometimes disappearing altogether. However, even as online shopping pervades, brands are finding important value connecting with customers face-to-face, whether through local pop-up shops, brand-sponsored community events or new brick-and-mortar locations. In-person experiences are often the best…

J.C. Penney is rolling out new home services in all 13 of its Dallas-Fort Worth stores. The Dallas Morning News reports the retailer started testing a heating and cooling system partnership with Trane and has expanded into bathroom remodeling, plumbing and window blind installation. Recently, J.C. Penney has tried moving towards bigger-ticket items in the…

Crate and Barrel has found a new CEO. The home decor retailer has named Neela Montgomery, executive board member at Crate and Barrel's parent company, the Otto Group, CEO effective August 1. The Chicago Tribune reports Montgomery has served on boards for the Otto Group since 2014 and previously spent 12 years at Tesco, the third…

It was announced this week that Gymboree is looking to close a sizable percentage of its stores as part of restructuring under bankruptcy court protection. MarketWatch reports the children's clothing retailer has reached out to firms known for liquidating companies’ inventories and other assets to help with the closure of up to 350 stores. Discussions around…

Earnings came and went, and for the retail sector, here’s the bottom line: we’re seeing the market respond to how well (or not) retailers are adjusting to the new reality of mobile-first consumers who shop online and in stores, e-commerce encroachment, and managing the omnichannel transition. A quick snapshot of Macy’s, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com shows…

Now more than ever, consumers expect to be immersed in a completely branded experience across every channel. In order to meet these expectations, retailers are developing multifaceted mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) strategies to meet shoppers’ expectations. As more stores aim for seamless, “channel-less” experiences, retail has expanded beyond just in-store and online shopping from a PC…