Retail Stores

The first pricing constant is that price is always on the table. Every customer in every purchase setting is aware of price. It's always one of the factors that enters into their decision. If other factors such as product attributes, service and location are seen as equal, price becomes the factor. Fooling customers is rarely a business model that leads to sustained success, particularly in today's era of price transparency online. It's far better to believe in this first constant and recognize that price is always a factor.

Teen retailer rue21 plans to open 120 stores in its 2012 fiscal year. The store openings are part of the retailer's long-term goal to expand its store base to 1,500 stores.

Charming Shoppes recorded a wider-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter as higher product costs and discounts at its Lane Bryant division cut into margins. The chain said it plans to close up to 105 underperforming stores this year. 

A group of online activists are harnessing social media like Twitter and Facebook to get consumers to spend at locally owned stores in cities around the world in so-called "Cash Mobs."

There are significant advantages that small stand-alone stores have over big-box chains. A mom-and-pop retail business can service its customers on an individual basis and doesn't have to follow guidelines set by executives at some corporate office. In addition, stand-alone stores have the ability to form a unique relationship with their customers by learning their tastes, habits and treating them as if they were a friend.

Office Depot will open 13 newly remodeled locations in the Houston area on March 28. The updated stores feature more colorful signage and easy-to-navigate floor plans. The stores were redesigned based on customer feedback and shopping patterns. Office Depot operates 1,677 stores in 60 countries, 46 of which are located in the Houston area.

Since e-tailers are generally less expensive than brick-and-mortar retailers, shoppers order online from their smartphone and walk out of the store empty-handed. Simply put, brick-and-mortar stores are facing a harsh reality: they're quickly becoming showrooms for e-tailers.

Bebe surprised more than a few people back in December when the brand announced that it would be doing a bridal line. There was a certain amount of speculation on just what Bebe bridal would look like.

Cos Bar is a family-owned chain of 12 beauty boutiques that carry luxury brands in many of the United States' most exclusive destinations. Now it's collaborating with Target to bring its new collection of bath and body lotions, tools, and bags into the retailer's stores beginning May 6.

Best Buy Canada is deploying six Best Buy Express kiosks Friday at Toronto Pearson International Airport in both terminals. The company also has plans for expansion throughout the year.