Jeff Bezos has some big plans for Amazon.com’s grocery future. According to Business Insider, the company wants to open 20 brick-and-mortar grocery stores over the next two years, and believes the U.S. market has room for up to 2,000 of its AmazonFresh-branded grocery stores over the next decade. By the end of 2018, Amazon plans…
For better or worse, e-commerce has truly transformed the traditional shopping experience at brick-and-mortar retail locations. Customers visiting a physical store have greater expectations for a product to be in stock and priced competitively with similar retailers or online shopping outlets such as Amazon.com. They expect stellar customer service, because it would be even easier, if not more convenient,…
REI will keep its stores closed on the day after Thanksgiving for the second straight year, even though it's one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It will also again pay employees for the day off in a campaign that encourages people to spend time outdoors. Online shoppers can put items in their cart,…
As new forms of shopping develop, so do new forms of fraud. There is an ongoing battle between retailers and those looking to make
The rise of online retail has led to the decline of brick-and-mortar shopping, as consumers choose the convenience of clicking and buying from their home over going to the mall. While e-commerce growth shows no signs of slowing, physical retail must shift into high gear to adapt to the reality of technology taking over the…
Sears and Kmart are the latest major retailers to lose market share to Amazon.com. Many spectators doubt that these proud store brands will survive after years of decline, and according to Business Insider, Sears and Kmart employees agree. ‘Welcome to Sears, How May I NOT Help You?’ Who can blame Sears and Kmart employees for being so disgruntled? As depressing as it…
Macy's has reaffirmed its commitment to Thanksgiving Day shopping, announcing yesterday that it will open its stores an hour earlier this year. The retailer plans to open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, with most Macy's stores closing at 2 a.m., and then reopening at 6 a.m. Friday. Macy's cited "ongoing customer interest in shopping on Thanksgiving"…
Macy's launched an Apple shop at its Herald Square store last week, becoming the first U.S. department store with a hub devoted to the brand. The shop features a range of products, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and the new Nike-branded Apple Watch. Staffed by Apple associates, the shop is on the main floor in the busy…
Macy’s is reportedly planning to open LensCrafters outposts in 40 percent of its stores by the end of 2017. Eighty locations will be open by the end of this year. The LensCrafters shops will have optometrists on-site, as well as high-end frames from designers including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors and Burberry,…
Wal-Mart is giving its managers pay raises ahead of the new federal overtime wage mandate. The retailer raised the starting salary for various managers from $45,000 to $48,500 at the start of September. The Department of Labor rule, set to go into effect on Dec. 1, raises the top salary threshold under which executive, administrative and professional…
