Retail Stores

It may be an exaggeration that the Gap has had no outstanding marketing since the 1990s. The company has been struggling for years to figure out how to attract younger consumers as well as win back those who have stopped shopping there.

Consumers spent more on retail goods in the first quarter than they did during the same time last year. That's despite higher gas prices, bad weather and a late Easter holiday.

An internal battle is raging at Microsoft over whether and how fast the company should open more retail stores. According to sources close to the company, CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner are both hot on the idea of matching — or even surpassing—  Apple's retail presence of over 300 stores. The stores are a big reason for Apple's success in the last decade, as they give customers opportunities to play with products like the iPad and iPhone.

Best Buy is temporarily restricting sales of the Apple iPad 2 as it faces supply shortages and an "upcoming promotion." In response to reports that some customers seeking to buy an iPad had been turned away, Best Buy acknowledged that its employees had been asked to hold on to iPad inventories not yet sold or reserved.

Wal-Mart is restoring 8,500 products to its stores as it seeks to turn around declining same-store sales in the U.S. The company will add 11 percent more products on average to its stores, accompanied by "It’s Back" flags on the items.

Not since 1943 have Americans seen an Easter fall this late in the calendar, but it seems the delayed holiday won’t impact consumers’ eagerness to spend on décor, food and even new spring apparel.

Flash-sale site ideeli is launching plus-size and petite sample sales, with new brands launching every Wednesday. “Many designers cap their collections at size 10, yet there is clearly demand for contemporary styles in fuller-figured sizes," Mary Harmon group vice president at ideeli, said in a statement.

Startup internet company GroopEase has announced the launch of its group-buying, members-only music website, offering daily deals on digital albums featuring emerging independent bands and solo artists.

Coupons, deals, discounts — however you say it, bargain shopping remains a hot topic. Even with an economy that’s showing signs of recovery, consumers are just too savvy and technologically connected to pay retail prices.

The cross-channel retail industry is at a crossroads. For starters, due to the economic downturn, the past couple of years have been difficult for the retail sector. But that's changing. Retailers are starting to see signs of life and are breathing a sigh of relief. At press time, for example, it was announced that February retail sales increased 0.6 percent over January and 4.2 percent year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.