Retail Stores

The home stretch for the holidays is nearing as second wind for retailers is just starting as Experian Marketing Services analyzes the post-Christmas retail trend. Christmas Day 2012 saw a 27% increase in online traffic to the top 500 retail sites compared to 2011. The top retail sites received more than 115.5 million total U.S. visits. To date the holiday online traffic for the past 7 weeks to retail sites are up 10% for 2012 vs. 2011. Each retail holiday milestone day saw online traffic increases so far this season.

While 2013 will be a tough year for retailers due to the tepid economic recovery, a few in particular face a critical 12 months. Their experiences highlight the challenges facing store chains, from increasingly cautious consumers to fierce online competition. These unlucky retailers are going into the New Year with extra woes: slipping sales, questionable strategies and tight finances-which is why they are the ones to watch, and not in a good way.

U.S. Shoppers spent less this holiday season, according to reports released today. The National Retail Federation had expected a 4.1 percent increase  holiday sales this year, for about $586.1 billion in revenues, but current estimates are coming in lower. Research from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse shows the sales of electronics, clothing, jewelry and home goods in the two months before Christmas increased 0.7 percent compared with last year, according to ABC News. Despite that somber report, it also states that the final week of December usually accounts for approximately 15 percent of the month's sales. 

Retail stores will look very different in a few years. In the age of mobile technology, shoppers are changing more than ever, and retailers are rushing to catch up with their customers’ ever-evolving demands. King Retail Solutions (KRS) designs modern retail stores. The company shared anecdotes and images about what the store of the future will look like. "Stores will become more theatrical, more immersive and more of a life experience rather than simply a place to get something," said Christopher Studach, creative director at KRS. "As much as they're selling products they will be selling a good time, a lifestyle."

Online retailer LuxeYard said it's revamped its website and overhauled its business model to eliminate "flash sales" and concentrate on making its products available continuously. The publicly traded company, which included a "going concern" qualification in recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, also said it had taken steps to reduce operating costs by about 70 percent through, among other things, slashing its staff from 60 to 15 and eliminating several unprofitable merchandise categories.

Retailers that sell guns are making some changes after the shooting in Newtown, Conn. Dick's Sporting Goods, a chain with more than 500 stores, said in a statement that "during this time of national mourning" it was stopping gun sales, and withdrawing them from display, at its store closest to Newtown. The company said it was also temporarily ceasing sales of modern sporting rifles nationwide. And Walmart.com removed its information page on the Bushmaster .223, a semiautomatic rifle said to be used by the gunman, Adam Lanza, in the Newtown killings.

There's one week left to wrap up your holiday shopping. From Abercrombie & Fitch to Costco, Roxanne Meyer, UBS retail analyst, and Joe Feldman, Telsey Advisory Group, discuss which retailer is set to see top sales this holiday season.

The decorations, the family get-togethers, the ugly sweaters — these are the unmistakable signs that the holiday season is in full swing. But no December would be complete without the final mad dash to buy gifts for loved ones on your list. And if you're like me, you may have a gift or two (or 10) left to buy at the last minute. No sweat, you aren't alone. While people started searching on Google for gifts in mid-October, holiday shopping is far from finished. 

Hey all you tweeters, we’ve got some big news: For the last few weeks, Retail Online Integration has been running a group Twitter discussion called #ROIChat, looping in the latest trends and most profitable practices in the world of retail. Our friends over at Dealerscope, who focus on the consumer technology side of retailing, took notice of all the fun we were having and asked if they could get in on the action. We couldn’t think of a better partner for #ROIChat.

Toys"R"Us announced it's created Toys"R"Us Towers, a free-to-play toy store simulation game with real-world benefits, available now on Facebook. The game will also be available on mobile devices in the coming months. Created by Ubisoft Quebec, Toys"R"Us Towers gives players the chance to step into the shoes of the newest employee at Toys"R"Us. They'll be able to manage their own toy store by building and designing a variety of toy departments and attractions.