Stores Weekly

First Edition

Mall of America's newest attraction blends AR and VR

Legendary architect Victor Gruen designed the first generation of American shopping malls during the 1950s and 1960s. Yet Gruen wanted his creations (which numbered in the dozens) to be more than just shopping destinations. Most of his projects saw that vision only partially realized, but his successors took his ideas to heart.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/26/just-for-the-fun-of-it/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=MoA%20Void to view the full article online.

Solving the online delivery dilemma — with a side of matzo ball soup

There’s one vexing problem that every restaurant linked to online ordering shares: how to make sense of so many online ordering platforms. Alex Canter, owner-operator of Canter's Deli, has taken an entrepreneurial crack at fixing the problem not only for his restaurant, but for the entire industry.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/26/bringing-order-to-the-orderless/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=Orderless to view the full article online.

FindMine takes the confusion out of 'finding the look'

Michelle Bacharach created FindMine, a system that uses machine learning and deep data mining to make recommendations that help consumers create an outfit, build out a room’s décor or understand how to put together a skin care regimen.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/27/how-do-i-wear-this/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=FindMine to view the full article online.

Research shows consumers are worried about online fraud

In a survey conducted earlier this year, most respondents — 57 percent — said they were more worried that their personal information would be compromised than they had been a year ago; 83 percent indicated extreme to moderate concern that their identities would be used to fraudulently open accounts.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/27/personal-protection/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=LP%20fraud to view the full article online.

NRF is proud to provide our members with the online Retail Buying Guide to search for trusted vendors, products and services in the retail industry. Our guide is a user-friendly forum designed to bring suppliers and purchasers together. You can search by keyword, location, company name or category. Available whenever you need it, the Retail Buying Guide makes it easy to locate products and professional services geared to the retail industry. Click here to visit the online Retail Buying Guide! To advertise, please contact Sarah Allen for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrf-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=533035&issueID=56575 to view the full article online.

Trends

Papa, don't reach

These days, there’s an app that can offer a temporary fix to any need — including, apparently, loneliness. Papa, an app founded by a man who had challenges meeting the needs of his own grandparents, hires vetted college students and others to not only help seniors with tasks or transportation, but also broaden their social interaction.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/28/papa-dont-reach/ to view the full article online.

No skimping on quality for condoms or tattoos

Chicago-based digital marketing agency Digital Third Coast recently surveyed 2,000 Americans to explore how bargains play a role in purchasing decisions. The research showed that when it comes to the important things, quality still matters more. Respondents bargain-shopped the least for items such as condoms, doctors’ visits, tattoos, therapy and dental visits, and the most for clothes, cars, toys, toilet paper and magazines.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/28/no-skimping-on-quality-for-condoms-or-tattoos/ to view the full article online.

Fill 'er up on demand

Still looking for any opportunity to squeeze more time from the day? On-demand gas delivery and auto care provider Yoshi might do the trick. Available in more than a dozen cities nationwide and still growing, Yoshi provides services such as changing the oil, checking the tires, swapping out wiper blades and, yes, filling the tank.

Visit https://stores.org/2018/11/28/fill-er-up-on-demand/ to view the full article online.

The digital edition of STORES includes must-read pieces, including the articles featured here. Read the current issue and browse the archives for issues you may have missed.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrf-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=533036&issueID=56575 to view the full article online.

NRF News

Zenni Optical's vision for change

Zenni Optical isn't replacing the demand for glasses in the United States, it's creating new demand by changing the business model for prescription eyewear. On this episode of NRF's Retail Gets Real podcast, Zenni Chief Product Officer Bai Gan talks about the company's mission, how it's able to sell a pair of glasses for $7 and the retail approach that fosters rapid business growth.

Visit https://nrf.com/blog/zenni-opticals-vision-change?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Retail%20Gets%20Real&utm_content=Ep%2087%20Zenni%20Optical to view the full article online.

The connected world: Advances that will transform consumers’ lives

With the everyday world becoming more and more connected, brands are using smart technology to add meaningful value to consumers’ lives. Hear from Sleep Number President and CEO Shelly Ibach, Whirlpool VP and Chief Design Officer J Mays and JGA Chairman Ken Nisch as they discuss how connected technology platforms in sleep, appliances and autos are disrupting industries and building fiercely loyal customers at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show.

Visit https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/session/connected-world-advances-will-transform-your-life?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=NRF2019&utm_content=connected%20world%20session to view the full article online.

Tax reform typo squeezing small businesses

Main Street retailers and restaurants are having to put off remodeling due to a typo in the tax reform law that took effect this year, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay writes in an op-ed in The Hill co-authored with National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. The mistake means both industries are being required to depreciate remodeling projects over 39 years rather than taking the immediate write-off Congress intended.

Visit https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/418471-tax-code-typo-bars-some-businesses-from-enjoying-tax-reform to view the full article online.

Smarter solutions for global multichannel retailers

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