Stores Weekly

First Edition

Taking stock of where we’ve been, where we’re headed and how long it might take to get there

Welcome to 2020 … well, almost. For a very long time, 2020 seemed to be in some mythical Orwellian future. Not anymore. As we step into the third decade of the 21st century, there are a few things we can anticipate with confidence. The next 12 months will be characterized by uncertainty, driven by the upcoming presidential election and the ambiguity that hangs heavy in the air.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/02/coming-soon/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec&utm_content=2020%20predictions to view the full article online.

Clear eyes, full heart

In April of 1991, a good friend invited Susan Reda to write a freelance piece. She has no recollection of what she wrote about, but for the next 28 years, she continued to file stories for STORES Magazine; with this issue’s cover story, she has filed her final story for STORES — as of December 31, NRF will sunset the brand. “I’ve always read that both career and life are considered a journey,” she writes. “As the journey continues, I look ahead with clear eyes and a full heart.”

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/02/clear-eyes-full-heart/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec&utm_content=Editor's%20note to view the full article online.

CB2 powers the customer experience through interactive technology

Interactive 3D and augmented reality are rapidly moving from the “wow” of possibility to the brilliance of usefulness. Consider, for example, being able to view a couch from all angles on a mobile device — no app required — then virtually dropping it into a living room to see how it fits. It’s now possible through a partnership between Crate and Barrel sister brand CB2 and tech innovator Vertebrae.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/03/picture-it/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=CB2 to view the full article online.

Retail websites targeted by ADA lawsuits

Every page on the Body Glide website shows a familiar blue-and-white wheelchair logo, similar to those used to designate handicapped parking or handicapped-accessible facilities ranging from doorways to restrooms. The icon is meant to alert users that the Body Glide website is equipped with software intended to make it accessible to customers with disabilities, particularly the blind and visually impaired.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/03/retail-websites-targeted-by-ada-lawsuits/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Dec%20&utm_content=ADA%20lawsuits to view the full article online.

Experts look at potential threats facing retailers

In the physical world, there were — and still are — multiple ways thieves and fraudsters could plague retailers. Adding digital sales channels increases the complexity of challenges for loss prevention and asset protection personnel. Though no one knows what next year has in store, here are some thoughts experts provided to STORES as to some major cybersecurity concerns facing retailers in 2020.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/03/2020-cybersecurity-forecast/?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=STORES%20Oct-Nov%20&utm_content=cybersecurity%20forecast 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=592577&issueID=64483 to view the full article online.

Trends

What treasures await?

For a different kind of ecommerce “delivery,” Amazon’s Treasure Truck offers unique pop-up experiences nationwide. One of the latest is the Treasure Truck Beauty Pop-up, helping consumers take their “self-care Saturday to the next level” with a variety of products and free services.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/04/what-treasures-await/ to view the full article online.

Here comes the bride, all dressed in whatever color she likes

Get anywhere near a millennial wedding these days, and some things are bound to happen. As one 25-year-old woman told Generation Z/millennial researchers YPulse, one of the biggest wedding trends among the 18-36 age group is “trying to be unique but just ending up doing what everyone else does.”

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/04/here-comes-the-bride-all-dressed-in-whatever-color-she-likes/ to view the full article online.

World’s largest sticker store opens in Toronto

StickerYou: The Store, billed as the “world’s largest sticker store,” has opened its doors in Toronto, and is set to continue expanding throughout 2020. All told, it’s aiming for a hands-on experience that will stay with visitors, including a sticker museum, sticker art exhibition and custom sticker-creation center for on-the-spot projects.

Visit https://stores.org/2019/12/04/worlds-largest-sticker-store-opens-in-toronto/ to view the full article online.

NRF News

Retail predictions for 2020

What can the retail industry expect next year? STORES Editor Susan Reda joins the Retail Gets Real podcast to dig into this month’s cover story and go behind the insights and trends shaping the future of retail. Read the article and listen to the podcast.

Visit https://nrf.com/blog/2020-retail-industry-trend-predictions?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Retail%20Gets%20Real&utm_content=Ep%20147%202020%20Retail%20Trend%20Predictions to view the full article online.

Thanksgiving weekend draws nearly 190 million shoppers, spending up 16 percent

A record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopped from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, an increase of 14 percent over last year, NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics said. Shoppers spent an average $361.90, up 16 percent.

Visit https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/thanksgiving-draws-nearly-190-million-shoppers?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Winter%20Holidays&utm_content=Thanksgiving%20Results to view the full article online.

How retailers are giving back this holiday season

Retailers give back to the communities they serve throughout the year, but during the holidays people are moved by the spirit of the season to give more. Many retailers funnel that spirit into programs that make a difference. Read examples of how retailers from Abercrombie & Fitch to Wendy’s are giving back with the help of their customers this season.

Visit https://nrf.com/blog/how-retailers-are-giving-back-holiday-season?utm_medium=STORES%20Weekly&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Retail%20Narrative&utm_content=charitable%20giving to view the full article online.

National Retail Federation