week of 7/27/20 Ascena Retail Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Latest Victim of COVID Ascena Retail Group, parent of iconic women’s apparel brands Lane Bryant and Ann Taylor, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced plans to shutter 1,600 of the 2,800 stores across its various chains in an effort to reduce its massive debt by $1 billion. The news comes weeks after an executive bonus windfall. What COVID-19 Has Taught Us About U.S. Ecommerce Spending Although some shoppers are looking forward to returning to stores, others will be more inclined to continue to shop from the safety of their home. The shift to ecommerce caused by COVID-19 will linger well after social distancing policies are lifted. But behavior varies from shopper to shopper and between categories. 3 Signs You're Misappropriating Your Brand's Marketing Budget With any investment, you have to assess several economic factors before making a decision to pursue it. The same is true with an investment in SEO. However, most brands lack the comprehensive toolset required to understand and accurately quantify the impact of SEO. Here are 3 major signs that your marketing budget is misaligned. Digital Tools Help Retailers Adapt in a Post-Quarantine World How do retail marketers keep online momentum going as physical stores continue to reopen? They are leaning into digital to maintain customer engagement and drive growth by enhancing proven strategies like SMS and email. This omnichannel approach uses targeted messages, tailoring relevant content to timely consumer trends. Not Just Packaging: The Ecommerce-Environment Conflict 10 Steps to an Effective Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Move Plan How Will USPS Policy Changes Impact Shippers and the Agency Itself? FedEx Express Adds Robotic Arms to Help Handle Ecommerce Surge See open jobs for ecommerce, marketing, and fulfillment operations View Jobs