Amazon.com is shutting down all 87 of its U.S. pop-up stores in April, ending the retailer’s years-long experiment with these small shops as it tinkers with an evolving brick-and-mortar strategy, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. Amazon has pop-ups inside Whole Foods locations, Kohl's stores and malls around the U.S. The shops let customers try…
While at Shoptalk 2019 in Las Vegas this week, Total Retail's Joe Keenan interviewed Brendan Witcher, vice president and principal analyst of digital business strategy at Forrester Research. In the wide-ranging interview, Witcher offered his thoughts on the vibe from attendees at the show, the state of brick-and-mortar retail, the retail technologies he's bullish on for…
Denim and accessory brand Diesel USA Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday, reports Reuters. The company's Italian parent brand Diesel SpA was not involved in the bankruptcy filing. Diesel USA claimed expensive leases, a sales plunge, and $1.2 million of losses from theft and cyber fraud as main contributors to the decline of profitability…
Amazon.com is planning to open a new grocery store chain in an effort to broaden its reach in the retail category, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Sources familiar with the project told WSJ that the online behemoth is planning to open dozens of grocery stores in several major U.S. cities, and the first…
Within the past year, brands like Williams-Sonoma and Wayfair’s Perigold have introduced access to in-house design experts and 24/7 design concierges for customers who want to furnish their homes. According to a 2018 report from Alliance Data, 43 percent of millennials and baby boomers now expect retailers to offer these conveniences. As a result, more companies are using new technological…
Gap Inc. yesterday announced plans to create two independent, publicly traded companies: Old Navy and a yet-to-be-named company ("NewCo") that will consist of the Gap brand, Athleta, Banana Republic, Intermix and Hill City. Gap said the spin-off will enable each company to maximize focus and flexibility, align investments and incentives to meet its unique business needs,…
L Brands, owner of the lingerie chain, announced Wednesday plans to close 53 Victoria’s Secrets stores in North America this year, more than three times the 15 it has historically closed in an average year. Victoria’s Secret square footage in North America will drop by about 3 percent with this latest round of store closures. A weak…
The pop-up industry was valued at $50 billion in 2016, and it will only continue to grow as more brands discover the strategy as a way to experiment and innovate. The success of the pop-up shop is no mystery. Brands use pop-ups to dip their toes into new geographic markets without fully committing to a…
Foot Locker announced Tuesday that it's investing $12.5 million in New York City-based children's apparel brand Rockets of Awesome, according to CNBC. The athletic footwear retailer will open Rockets of Awesome clothing shops within Kids Foot Locker locations, making it the largest retailer of the children's brand's products in the U.S. In addition, Foot Locker will…
Mall tenants stand at a turning point in the retail industry: evolve and thrive, or stand to be replaced with a quicker shopping experience online. While The Wall Street Journal reports that 9.1 percent of malls stand vacant — a seven-year high — Class A malls that are transforming are thriving. Culturally, younger generations are…
