Retail Stores

For baby boomers, the ideal shopping experience is about getting a good deal on a decent product. For Gen Yers, it's more about a stimulating, sensual, "sharable" experience. Think sensible shoes vs. smartphones. This practicality divide is among the many discoveries in a new in-depth study on retail by Brodeur Partners, which is introducing quantitative social science to the often subjective practice of communications, branding, public relations and social change initiatives.

As the internet matures and expands, the number of choices available to users grows exponentially. Invariably, more solutions arise to tame the clutter. In the early days of the web, portals like Yahoo touted handpicked sites bundled into browsable categories.

As Ann Taylor emerges from its midlife crisis, the 58-year-old women's clothing chain is counting on a makeover to pull it out of the doldrums. Parent ANN INC. has a plan to replace its aging fleet of large Ann Taylor stores with smaller, more contemporary outposts that make women feel as if they have walked into their dream closet.

Americans stepped up spending on retail goods in February, evidence that a stronger job market is boosting the economy. Consumers bought more autos, clothes and appliances. They also paid higher prices for gas. The Commerce Department says retail sales increased 1.1 percent last month, the biggest gain since September.

shopkick has announced the success of Black Friday 2, an experimental initiative designed to significantly boost foot traffic to partner retail stores using holiday tactics during normal, nonpeak shopping days throughout the year. 

Kohl's has announced the grand opening of eight new stores in seven states, including Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The retailer, which now operates 1,134 stores in 49 states, says the new units will create 1,000 new jobs. Kohl's reported it will also remodel 50 stores this year. 

The judges on upcoming NBC show "Fashion Star" aren't designers, but representatives of three major retail chains: H&M, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue. In each episode they'll bid on their favorite pieces of men's and women's wear, and the winning store will begin selling the clothing after the final credits roll.

Marni for H&M has officially hit 260 H&M stores worldwide. While the line has reportedly not sold out just yet, some of the items have already started appearing on eBay, well over the H&M price point.

The most significant takeaway from the report centered on the importance of multichannel operations including fulfillment of .com, mobile and tablet orders. The report states that electronic e-commerce sales have grown by more than 15 percent to $35.3 billion versus an overall sales growth of 4.1 percent versus the previous year. 

Wal-Mart will add more self-checkout lanes at its Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores as it continues to look for ways to lower costs and prices, CEO Charles Holley said.