Black Friday looked good compared to an average day this year or even a year ago, but less so when compared to 2019. Online, sales were healthier, but just a 2.3% gain from 2021, Adobe said. Lululemon Athletica, American Eagle Outfitters and Victoria’s Secret were winners, and Gap, Banana Republic and Hollister were challenged.
Sales expectations are somewhat muted based on a welter of surveys and experts, as well as most retail earnings, but Cyber Week is still kind of a big deal, extended season and early deals notwithstanding. There are, of course, no lack of consumer jitters due to nagging inflation, with study after study indicating some degree of hesitancy.
The National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers are asking the Trump administration and the federal government for relief for members who are being hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, much as are other industries such as airlines and hospitality, as mall, store and restaurant closures grow.
Amazon has temporarily suspended fulfillment of non-essential items through FBA through April 5, due to high coronavirus-related demand. Meanwhile, retail and DTC brands are closing their doors, while UPS assures customers their deliveries are safe, and major e-grocery delivery app downloads are setting records daily.
Competing with Amazon, addressing privacy issues linked to collection of data by third-party technologies and improving site speed to boost sales are top priorities identified in a new study from ecommerce platform provider Yottaa. The report suggests Prime-style free same-day shipping will become widespread among brands in 2020.
Coresight Research reported a total of 9,275 U.S. store closures by major retailers in 2019, 35% higher than the 6,897 closures recorded in 2018 as the bleeding continues. Closings outpaced store openings more than 2 to 1, Coresight found, with 4,454 new doors in 2019, compared to 4,311 in 2018.
The seemingly weekly drumbeat of retailers either closing stores or filing for bankruptcy is evidence of the ongoing seismic shift in customer demands and expectations, and the failure of many to pivot fast enough to meet them. Here is how retailers should navigate through the changing tides of the industry.
In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, Anthony Burnside, manager of direct-to-customer order management and omnichannel fulfillment for Abercrombie & Fitch, talks to Multichannel Merchant about the role of data analytics and data science inside his group and organization
Today, merchants need to adopt every best practice to reduce costs and provide higher levels of service. Only one conference focuses exclusively on optimizing direct-to-customer and omnichannel operations and fulfillment: Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 9-11, 2019 in Columbus, OH. Here are 6 great benefits of attending.
Looking to provide a different experience for a key demographic group, Abercrombie & Fitch will open two smaller footprint stores next month near college campuses that will have an omnichannel focus and serve as test beds for future expansion.