Resources

The Farnworth Group published a study that found that specialized retailers are taking more of the DIY market from big-box home improvement stores like Lowe’s and The Home Depot. Amazon is making its appearance as a favorite online home improvement source. The study analyzed purchase behaviors among a variety of retail channels and different buying... Read more »

Due to Christmas creep, retailers are moving out the pumpkins and putting out winter holiday right away, if not already. Some retail trends shoppers can look forward to now: Early season deals are popping up and not waiting for Black Friday. Wal-Mart announced November 1 launches “savings and holiday retailtainment”. The iPad mini will be... Read more »

Deloitte’s 30th annual holiday consumer spending survey of over 4,000 US consumers identify major changes to some shopping traditions. Key findings include: Shoppers are expected to spend $1,440 this holiday season, across gift purchases, socializing, non-gift clothing, and home/holiday furnishings. Nearly 70% of consumers plan to “webroom” by looking at items online first and then... Read more »

The CPFR Method CPFR is a business methodology which integrates multiple parties in the planning and fulfillment of customer demand. The idea behind CPFR is that by coordinating activities throughout the supply chain inventories can be moved more efficiently, in the correct quantities, to the correct inventory locations to meet customer demand.  CPFR establishes a... Read more »

Halloween retail sales, which had grown to an $8 billion industry by 2012, is expected to fall 7 percent this year, to $6.9 billion. According to the National Retail Federation, this is the lowest total since 2011. Experts blame the weak Halloween forecast on a shift in consumer spending to experiences rather than must-have items.... Read more »

Walmart recently announced cuts of 450 positions at its headquarters. Dollar Tree announced the elimination of 370 positions (115 of those unfilled currently) at its headquarters. JC Penney followed suit, announcing plans to cut 300 of its 3,400 home office positions. All are stating cuts are to reduce expenses. JC Penney still plans to hire... Read more »

Amazon.com Inc. announced plans to increase hiring by 25% over last year’s holiday season, to 100,000 workers. Workers will be in Amazon’s 50 warehouses and 20 package sorting centers around the US. This is higher than United Parcel Service (UPS) plans to hire this holiday season. Amazon is responding to US Census Bureau reports that... Read more »

An NRF survey of over 7,300 customers indicated that the average spending per person this year will be almost flat with last year, increasing to $806 this year versus $802 last year. This is the highest amount of spending in the survey’s 14 year history, but is still disappointing to retailers. “We continue to see... Read more »

Macy’s announced it would be closing 35-40 underperforming brick and mortar retail stores in the 2016 calendar year, making room to open its discount stores. Other retailers also announced plans to close doors in 2016, including Office Depot, Walgreens, The Gap and Barnes & Noble. While retailers are usually reluctant to announce store closures because... Read more »