Latest Retail Insight, News, Information & Articles from all top sources for the Internet.

Kolkata-based Senco Gold & Diamonds, a leading manufacturer and retailer of handcrafted gold and diamond jewellery has substantial retail presence in West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and cities like Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Dhanbad, Mumbai etc. The year 2019 has been very fruitful for the brand as it continues to grow and expand the brand’s portfolio […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/31eQEpc via IFTTT

Salim Roopani is currently Senior VP – Operations at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, one of the premium shopping, entertainment and leisure destinations in India today. He has over 15 years of varied experience in the hotel, retail and real estate industry, with a focus on retail infrastructure. Roopani is heading Pacific Mall since April 2016. His in-depth […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2GJiYqp via IFTTT

Is your marketing strategy ready for 2020? Join this webinar to discover what’s in store for ecommerce marketing and how to leverage key trends in the next 12 months and beyond. What you’ll learn: ● The biggest shifts in eCommerce – incl. sustainability, data protection and Amazon’s struggles. ● How they’ll impact your business. ● Actionable tips to set your brand up for success. Sign up for the on-demand webinar now! Watch the on-demand webinar   The post [Webinar] 2020’s most important marketing trends for retailers appeared first on Retail Gazette . from Retail Gazette https://ift.tt/2vy9SKM via IFTTT

// French Connection no longer searching for buyer // It will now focus on its turnaround strategy // French Connection first announced it was considering selling the company in October 2018 French Connection has announced it is no longer searching for a buyer of the company, following a strategic review. The fashion retailer will now put its efforts into its turnaround strategy, which is centred on sizing, its wholesale customers, investment in its online platform and a range of other cost saving measures. The news comes just four months after the retailer said in December that it foresaw a sale by the end of the year, but it has failed to secure a buyer. READ MORE: French Connection losses narrow amid ongoing sale process French Connection first announced it was considering selling the company in October 2018, but repeatedly pushed back its sale plans. In its latest results, which was for the six months to July 31, French Connection said it returned to sales growth...

// GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index has increased two points to –9 for January // Four measures used to determine the overall index increased, while one measure decreased // However, the January index means it has remained in negative territory for the past four years Consumers enjoyed a small “Boris-bounce” following the Conservatives’ landslide General Election victory last month, according to a long-running survey. GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index rose two points to -9 in January, but it means the data has remained in negative territory for the past four years. The two-point rise was also slower than the three-point rise between November and December, GfK added. READ MORE: Anticipation for General Election improved UK consumer confidence Retail sales flatline in January “The first month of 2020 has given us a mini Boris bounce, with a two-point increase,” GfK client strategy director Joe Staton said. “While January marks four years of the index failing t...

Paolo Mossa is the Global Sales Director of inVRsion, a Virtual Reality company developing simulations of never-before-seen realism for CPG Industry and Retail. Paolo and his... View Article from The Retail Bulletin - Latest Retail News https://ift.tt/38Z6Spn via IFTTT

Millennials can be demanding – they want variety, they want value for money, and they want everything to be available to them at the touch of a button – and quickly. Their demands are being met – from fast-fashion retailers delivering clothes to their doorstep the next day to Netflix and Amazon Prime providing hundreds of films and TV shows anywhere, at any time, on a variety of devices. For some generations, this array of choice can seem bewildering – off-putting even. For millennials, it’s expected. The millennial generation is forcing brands to adapt to an entirely new consumer model in which traditional customer loyalty seems to count for much less than it used to. A  study  by Daymon Worldwide found that just 29 per cent of Millennials usually purchase from the same brand. As a result, business leaders are recognising the competitive advantage of superior customer experience and the value that resides not only in what a company delivers for its customers, but in  h...

FMCG firm Marico on Thursday reported a nearly 10 percent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 276 crore for the quarter ended December 2019 helped by gross margin expansions. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 251 crore in the October-December quarter a year ago, Marico said in a BSE filing. However, […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2S4Ryk5 via IFTTT

Leading fashion retailer Nordstrom announced its latest creative projects initiative, See You Tomorrow, a new re-commerce experience launching on January 31, 2020. Powered by Yerdle, See You Tomorrow offers customers both an online resale site and an in-store shopping experience in the NYC Flagship store. Curated by Olivia Kim, Vice President of creative projects at […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/36P0Q9q via IFTTT

J.Crew Group, Inc. announced that after a thoughtful and extensive search, the Board of Directors appointed Jan Singer to serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb 2, 2020. Singer, a veteran consumer and retail executive with more than 25 years of experience putting the customer at the center and positioning brands for long-term growth, most […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2uLrLpg via IFTTT

As part of its commitment to improving safety and efficiency, Wincanton, the largest British third-party logistics (3PL) company, has invested in 360-degree cameras and telematics technology across its home delivery fleet; which serves major customers such as Marks & Spencer. from Retail Times https://ift.tt/38VkG3Y via IFTTT

// Laura Ashley CEO & executive director Kwan Cheong Ng to step down in April // He will remain on the fashion and lifestyle retailer’s board as a non-executive director // CCO Katharine Poulter has been promoted to CEO – effective from May 1 Laura Ashley has announced that Kwan Cheong Ng will step down from his position as chief executive and executive director of the fashion and lifestyle retailer. His last day will be April 30, after which he will remain on Laura Ashley’s board as a non-executive director. Laura Ashley’s current chief operating officer Katharine Poulter will succeed Ng as chief executive and executive director, effective from May 1. READ MORE: Laura Ashley joint operating chief Sean Anglim resigns Laura Ashley suffers full-year loss of £14m as homeware “underperforms” In a statement, the board thanked Ng for his contribution to Laura Ashley and wished him “the very best in his retirement”. Poulter has 25 years of retail experience, with previ...

// John Lewis customer director Craig Inglis will leave the department store at the end of March // He joins John Lewis MD Paula Nickolds and Waitrose MD Rob Collins in a growing list of senior management departures // Inglis has been with John Lewis for 12 years and is credited for introducing the retailer’s famous Christmas adverts John Lewis customer director Craig Inglis is poised to step down from the department store, joining a growing list of senior management departures. Inglis is due to leave in March after working at the business for 12 years, where he was responsible for introducing John Lewis’ now famous Christmas adverts. Staff were informed yesterday of Inglis’ departure, which comes after less than a month after John Lewis managing director Paula Nickolds revealed she would also be leaving the department store retailer. READ MORE: John Lewis Partnership posts last ever weekly update amid business changes John Lewis boss Paula Nickolds exits as sales drop J...

Sustainability and innovation will be the focus at Cotton Council International’s (CCI) upcoming What’s New In Cotton™ booth in Hall 6, C53 at Première Vision in Paris, France, on February 11-13. “U.S. cotton’s sustainability and innovation are What’s New In Cotton™ right now,” Bruce Atherley, Executive Director, CCI said. “At Première Vision we will present […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2tdXBdI via IFTTT

Titan Company Ltd., India’s leading consumer goods company in collaboration with Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory body under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) announced the launch of ‘Khadi Collection’, a set of two watches crafted in authentic Khadi. For the first time ever, Titan uses a non-horological material […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2vxGioI via IFTTT

Homegrown FMCG major Dabur India Ltd on Thursday reported a 8.62 percent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 398.87 crore for the third quarter ended December. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 367.21 crore in October-December quarter a year ago, Dabur India said in a BSE filing. Revenue from operations […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/38V4EqO via IFTTT

FMCG firm Colgate-Palmolive (India) on Thursday reported a 3.64 percent increase in net profit at Rs 199.1 crore in the third quarter ended on December 31, 2019. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 192.1 crore in the same quarter a year ago, Colgate-Palmolive (India) said in a regulatory filing. According to a […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2u75lhZ via IFTTT

Luxury retail is undergoing a transformation. The physical store is shifting from transactional to experiential. In luxury retail, customers demand personalised experiences and outstanding service. High-spending... View Article from The Retail Bulletin - Latest Retail News https://ift.tt/2OaNr4L via IFTTT

Swedish furniture giant IKEA said Wednesday it had temporarily closed half of its 30 stores in mainland China until further notice amid concerns over the deadly new coronavirus. “In response to the Chinese government”s call for strict and effective disease control, IKEA Retail China will temporarily close around half of the stores in mainland China […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/36K9BkV via IFTTT

Amazon announced its association with Reckitt Benckiser India Ltd to make the leading consumer hygiene brand, Dettol product portfolio available for customers in US through Amazon’s Global Selling Program. Reckitt Benckiser India Ltd.’s association with Amazon will help them expand and increase their penetration into the US market. Through this collaboration, Dettol India’s product Range […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3aWFABJ via IFTTT

Wonderchef, India’s leading brand of premium cookware and kitchen appliances, promoted by Entrepreneur Ravi Saxena and Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, has expanded its business to the UAE (Dubai). From a dedicated in-store team for demonstrating the products, to adding e-commerce gradually, Wonderchef is pulling out all stops to expand in the country. The brand was […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2OfRtJd via IFTTT

Global airport retail sales are forecast to reach US$ 48.2 billion in 2020, up 6.1 percent on 2019, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. However, the escalation of the severity of coronavirus could now have a detrimental impact on airport passenger numbers – causing concern for airport operators and retailers. Honor Strachan, Principal […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3aZ0Bvu via IFTTT

We were at one of India’s biggest fashion retail showdown – the 20th edition of India Fashion Forum and after interacting with a few leaders of fashion brands, we learned that the last few years have been a pilot for fashion retailers testing new technologies and adopting new business models. 2020 will actually see them scaling […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2teMXDF via IFTTT

SEATTLE — Amazon shares rose in after-hours trading Thursday after the company reported fourth quarter results that topped analysts’ expectations. The company reported earnings per share of $6.47 for the quarter, easily beating forecasts of $4.04 per share. Net sales increased 21% to $87.4 billion in the fourth quarter. Net income grew to $3.3 billion ($6.47 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter, up from $3 billion ($6.04 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter 2018. For the full year net sales increased 20% to $280.5 billion, and when the $2.6 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the year is excluded, net sales increased 22% compared with 2018. And net income for the full year increased to $11.6 billion (or $23.01 per diluted share), up from $10.1 billion ($20.14 per diluted share) in 2018. Prime membership rates have also shown strong growth, according to the company, which sees that metric as a key indicator of customer lo...

Amazon and Walmart are still battling it out for retail dominance with breakneck innovations and technology investments. Last time we reported on how these two giants stack up, readers voted on who was winning in five key areas. Get the results and updates on where they are today in these critical growth areas. from RIS News - RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2tV7wW8 via IFTTT

Luxury retail is undergoing a transformation. The physical store is shifting from transactional to experiential. In luxury retail, customers demand personalised experiences and outstanding service. High-spending... View Article from The Retail Bulletin - Latest Retail News https://ift.tt/2GGxRcV via IFTTT

by Nichole Gunn The customer is always right, but not always loyal. Retail establishments across every industry are aware of this. However, it can be tough to create scalable, measurable solutions to keep customers engaged and emotionally connected to your brand — whether or not they are in your store. Of course, there is no substitute for providing excellent in-store service and a selection of high quality products. But many retailers overlook customer incentive programs as a tool to differentiate themselves from the competition, inspire sales growth, and retain customers. Customer incentive programs have many benefits – from increasing profitability to improving reputation and generating referrals. However, before jumping in head first, there are considerations that should be taken into account. Customer Incentive Program Best Practices 1. Offer non-cash rewards. Rather than strictly competing on price discounts, which cut into margin and only create temporary brand preference...

// Sports Direct in court to prevent “private” documents it provided to accountants being handed to regulators // It is attempting to overturn a High Court ruling from 2018 that ordered it to hand over 40 company documents to the FRC Sports Direct is currently in a battle to block “private” documents it provided to its accountants being handed over to regulators. The dispute is part of a court case that is being closely watched by the audit profession. The Mike Ashley-owned sports goods retailer said maintained that it had a “fundamental right” to keep private legal documents it gave to Grant Thornton and Deloitte in a Court of Appeal hearing on Wednesday. READ MORE: Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in the clear over £571m Belgian tax bill Sports Direct shrugs off Belgian tax bill as it posts 22% sales rise Sports Direct is attempting to overturn a High Court ruling from 2018 that ordered it to hand over 40 company documents to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the audit...

The retail industry is undergoing a significant period of change. Consumer demand is constantly evolving led by rising expectations for an improved experience, both online and in-store. Today’s connected consumer firmly sets the pace for change and retailers must respond to stay in the race. What can visitors to Checkpoint’s stand at EuroShop 2020 expect to see? from Retail Times https://ift.tt/31aYLDw via IFTTT

// Ex-BHS director Lennart Henningson has been handed a 5-year ban from UK company dictatorships // He worked alongside Retail Acquisitions boss Dominic Chappell, who bought BHS for £1 from Sir Philip Green in 2015 // The ban has been imposed by the Insolvency Service The former director of collapsed department store chain BHS, Lennart Henningson, has agreed to a five-year ban from company directorships across the UK. The ban has been imposed by the Insolvency Service. Henningson was a director at BHS and transferred £1.5 million from BHS to a Swedish firm the day after its board had discussed the appointment of administrators. READ MORE: Ex-BHS owner Dominic Chappell ordered to pay £9.5m to pension schemes 44% of BHS stores still empty since 2016 collapse BHS collapsed in April 2016, leading to 11,000 job losses. Henningson worked alongside Retail Acquisitions boss Dominic Chappell, who bought BHS for £1 from Sir Philip Green in 2015. In November, Chappell was hande...

As if same-day delivery on pretty much anything wasn’t convenient enough, retailers across the world are piling money into programmes which will allow parcels to be flown to you in minutes. Drone deliveries, set to be worth £42 billion in the UK alone by 2030, are already a reality for shoppers in much of Asia. Chinese companies like Alibaba and JD.com have been using drones to deliver items to shoppers in hard to reach rural areas since before 2017. While the roll out of drone deliveries in the west is still a little while off, the barriers are almost entirely legislative. This means that when the logistics of how unsighted autonomous drone deliveries will work safely above our towns and cities have been worked out, some of the world’s most technically advanced companies have delivery aircraft and networks poised to launch at the drop of a hat. Here are our top five drone delivery services which will soon be dropping parcels to your doorstep.   Google’s Wing In April Win...

// Beales’ former owner Andrew Perloff blames administration on “excessive & outdated” tax system // Beales’ administration 1300 jobs at risk Beales’ former owner and the landlord of over half of its properties, Panther Securities has blamed its collapse on an “outdated” tax system. Panther Securities chairman Andrew Perloff said an “excessive and outdated” tax system was weighing the stores down, Property Week reported. The department store chain fell into administration 10 days ago after failing to secure a sale to a new owner. KPMG were appointed as administrators following a board meeting. READ MORE: Beales: What went wrong? Beales paying £1m more in business rates than it should be 1300 jobs at risk as Beales collapses into administration The administration 1300 jobs at risk. It is understood that Beales’ 22 stores will operate as per usual, with no immediate closures confirmed although the retailer’s website was taken down following the announcement. Pe...

Meeting the needs of customers with disabilities has been brought to the fore with the advent of Purple Tuesday, the annual accessible shopping day in November. However, rather than “accessible” pointing solely to those with mobility needs – the largest disabled group in the UK have hearing loss. In fact, their number has just topped 12 million and with an ageing population, that figure will continue to rise. Much of the high street has invested in assistive technology for customers with hearing loss, namely hearing loops, which cut out distracting background noise for customers wearing hearing aids. Despite this, customers can’t assume every outlet has one installed, that they are in working order or well maintained. And retailers may be missing out on much-needed income if, as a result, the shopping experience is too challenging. The issue for customers “The largest disabled group in the UK have hearing loss “ Modern store design and the urban location of high street stores...

// H&M chairman Stefan Persson to step down after more than 20 years at the retail giant // He will be succeeded by H&M Group CEO Karl-Johan Persson & CFO Helena Helmersson is promoted to CEO // H&M also revealed an increase in full-year gross profit and net sales H&M Group has revealed a major shake-up of its leadership team as chairman Stefan Persson steps down after more than 20 years in the role. The news comes amidst H&M’s full-year trading update, in which Persson said he would be standing for re-election as chairman at H&M’s AGM on May 7. The Swedish retail giant said Persson will be succeeded by his son and H&M Group chief executive Karl-Johan Persson. Meanwhile, H&M chief operating officer Helena Helmersson has been promoted to chief executive of the H&M Group, effective today. READ MORE:  H&M to investigate slave labour allegations H&M quarterly sales rise 9% H&M buys majority stake in resale giant Sellpy...

SplitIt, a global payment technology solution that enables no-fee instalments on credit card purchases, has announced a partnership with Stripe, a global technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. Stripe will serve as the payment facilitator for all new merchants who accept Splitit, making merchant acceptance of Splitit easier and faster to on-board and automating acceptance and movement of money. from Retail Times https://ift.tt/37EpFWt via IFTTT

// Victoria’s Secret owner is looking to sell the retailer // L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner in talks to step down // Victoria’s Secret has struggled with falling sales and competition Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands is looking to sell the lingerie retailer as chief executive Leslie Wexner announces he is in talks to step down from the group. Wexner has been in his role for 57 years and has led Abercrombie & Fitch, The Limited and Victoria’s Secret. He is in talks to resign as chief executive but may stay as chairman. READ MORE: J.Crew appoints former Victoria’s Secret exec as new CEO Victoria’s Secret warns on the British pound devaluation Victoria’s Secret CMO Ed Razek quits days after first trans model is hired Wexner is also under scrutiny for his ties to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, The New York Times reported. Victoria’s Secret has struggled with falling sales and competition from upstart lingerie brands in recent years. Like-for-like sales at Vi...

// Comet administrator Deloitte has been hit with a fine of £1m // The firm and two of its partners have agreed to pay the fine // Comet fell into administration in the run-up to the Christmas trading period in 2012 The administrators to Comet, Deloitte has reportedly been hit with a fine of £1 million by the accountancy watchdog. The Big 4 accountancy firm and two of its partners who oversaw Comet’s administration in 2012, have agreed to pay the fine, Sky News reported. They will also be given formal reprimands by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), although the two partners – believed to be Neville Kahn and Christopher Farrington – will not be banned. The ICAEW, which can sanction accountants, reportedly found that Deloitte did not take adequate steps to ensure that its previous work advising Comet’s owners did not present a conflict of interest. Comet, the electrical goods retailer, fell into administration in the run-up to the Christ...

As ecommerce evolves, customer expectations to get what they want — when, where, and how they want it — will only continue to intensify and further challenge organisations in 2020 and beyond. The times when search and price were the only criteria for purchasing decisions are gone, and retailers today need airtight ecommerce fulfilment strategies that promote and sustain domestic and international growth to drive positive results. Part of the challenge is having effective processes in place to ensure products are seamlessly, quickly and accurately delivered after consumers click to purchase, and the value of order fulfilment optimisation has become one of the most important factors in achieving this.  For those retailers that aren’t leveraging fulfilment as a competitive weapon and enhancing their workflows with automation technologies, the risk of losing out to the competition is a growing reality. As companies continue to identify fulfilment operations as a differentiator to bot...