Retail Stores

Amazon to Close 8 Go Convenience Stores
March 6, 2023 at 4:31 pm

Amazon.com announced late last week that it plans to close eight of its Go convenience stores, a decision that coincides with a pullback in its physical footprint and a broader effort to cut costs. The company will shut two Go stores in New York City, two locations in Seattle, and four stores in San Francisco.…

3 Ways to Scent Your Business for Maximum ROI
February 21, 2023 at 8:27 am

It’s a tale as old as time: Business owners are constantly on the hunt for new strategies and innovative approaches to increase sales and successfully connect with consumers. So, what's the latest solution for businesses to breathe new life into their spaces and make a lasting impact on their customers? The answer is to target…

January Retail Sales See Biggest Jump in Nearly 2 Years
February 15, 2023 at 3:55 pm

U.S. retail sales increased by 3 percent in January, far exceeding expectations for the month, according to the Commerce Department. This is the largest increase since March 2021. The Commerce Department said Wednesday it expected January sales numbers to rise 1.9 percent. Food services and drinking establishments saw the biggest increase, at 7.2 percent. Motor…

Bed Bath & Beyond to Shutter All Harmon Stores
January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said Friday it was closing an additional 87 of its flagship stores and its entire Harmon chain of drugstores, as the retailer struggles to find financial support to keep its operations funded. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, also said the company is  closing five of its…

The Home Depot's VP of Technology: 'Success is Removing Friction From the Customer's Interconnected Journey'
January 25, 2023 at 4:15 pm

The Home Depot is making technology investments to enhance an interconnected shopping journey for its customers. While at the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City last week, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan spoke with Muzammil Akram, vice president of technology and store systems at The Home Depot, to learn more about the tools the home improvement retailer…

Kendra Scott's CEO on How Community, Stores and Associates Are Key to Brand Experience
January 16, 2023 at 6:47 pm

In episode 384 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott, a fashion-lifestyle jewelry brand with a focus on philanthropy and community. Nolan provides an overview of the Kendra Scott brand (0:45), his professional background that led to his current role (2:28), and how the jewelry brand differentiates itself…

Babies"R"Us to Make a Comeback With Flagship Store at American Dream Megamall
January 10, 2023 at 5:38 pm

Babies"R"Us, which went out of business in 2018, is attempting a comeback. The baby products retailer will open a new flagship store this summer at the American Dream megamall in New Jersey, reports CNBC. Owner WHP Global, a brand management firm, has been on a mission to bring the beloved Toys"R"Us and Babies R Us brands…

Report: 2022 U.S. Holiday Sales Increase Despite Inflation
January 3, 2023 at 4:29 pm

Americans spent more money over the 2022 holiday season than they did the year before despite higher rates of inflation, a new Mastercard SpendingPulse report shows. The report, published Dec. 26, measured U.S. retail sales â€” excluding automotive sales — between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2022. It found sales increased 7.6 percent over the same period…

Report: 189M U.S. Consumers Shopped on Super Saturday
December 20, 2022 at 4:49 pm

Over 189 million people, or over 73 percent of U.S. consumers, shopped this past Saturday (also known as Super Saturday), according to a survey conducted by ICSC. The data show 71 percent of shoppers spent money on holiday gifts, while 40 percent spent on dining and 22 percent spent on entertainment. The top reason consumers shopped on Super Saturday was…