Cater to Buying Trends to Boost Valentine’s Day Sales

| Jay Alsup

Valentine’s Day has become big business for retailers and continues to grow. In 2016, the National Retail Federation reported spending to reach $19.7 billion. Consumers were set to spend, on average, $146 each on gifts for significant others, family and friends. Here are some tips that can help you focus your efforts when attracting consumers to your Valentine’s Day offerings.

The State of Retail in 2017

| Mike O'Brien

What is the outlook for retail in 2017? What macro factors will affect it? How about the continued migration to omnichannel and store closures? Multichannel Merchant Senior Content Manager spoke with Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist of the National Retail Federation at the Big Show in New York to discuss these topics and take a glimpse into the “crystal ball.”

137.4 Million Consumers Plan to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend

| MCM Staff

With Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend not too far off, consumers are eager to see what deals retailers are offering for the biggest shopping weekend of the year. The National Retail Federation provided some important insight with online and in-store shopping during Thanksgiving weekend.

retail imports

Hanjin Ocean Freight Failure Disrupting Retail Supply Chains

| Mike O'Brien

The financial woes of South Korean concern Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd, the world’s seventh-largest ocean freight line, is causing a ripple effect that is disrupting supply chains across retail entering the busy fall and holiday season. See what efforts are underway to address the logjam.

retail imports

Retail Imports to Grow 4.5% in the First Half of 2016

| MCM Staff

Retail imports based on cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to decline year-over-year for the next few months but the first half of the year should still amount to a 4.5% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

At the same time, import volumes are returning to West Coast ports after the labor issues that plagued the first half of 2015. Busy East Coast ports like New York and New Jersey saw large spikes in the double digits last year, as shippers sought alternate means to ensure product delivery, even if it meant significantly longer transit times.