Kirkland's Simple Things collection (Kirkland's/Facebook)
In a mutual parting of the ways, Kirkland's President and COO Mike Cairnes is leaving the company, giving the operational reins to CEO Woody Woodward. With sales on a steep decline recently, Kirkland's will close 27 -- or 6% -- of its store locations in the next few weeks, with more possibly shuttering later in the year.
The most important tool in chef Gene Kato's kitchen is the Yanagi sashimi knife. "It's super sharp and a critical tool for cutting and breaking down fish," the executive chef of Momotaro in Chicago says.
The Prepd Pack Lunchbox makes lunches a snap with modular, mix-and-match food containers --which also can be bought separately -- designed in various sizes for perfect portions. Made of bamboo and polymer, the lunchbox comes with magnetic cutlery and can be enhanced with the free Prepd app with chef- and nutritionist-provided recipes and ideas.
Enter the New Product Showcase! Promote your new products for 2020 to buyers and news media through the New Product Showcases. The Showcases are located inside the limited-access Buyers Clubs—your new product is seen by a captive audience of buyers and media only, and not your competitors. Submissions are entered in the GIA awards. Learn more & apply today!
Retail sales grew 4.1% to $730.2 billion during the November and December holiday season, according to NRF, coming close to the top end of the group's holiday forecast that projected growth of between 3.8% and 4.2%. "This is a strong finish to the holiday season, and we think it's a positive indicator of what's ahead," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.
The rise of click-and-collect options allowed more consumers to put off their Christmas shopping until the last minute, Target CEO Brian Cornell said. Target had almost five times as many pickup orders on Christmas Eve as on the same night the previous year, he said.
Selling on Amazon provides exposure to millions of global consumers and shipping services, but fees, shipping charges and a lack of customer information outweigh those benefits for some businesses. Whether Amazon is the right sales channel depends on a business' age, product and margins, experts say.
Shoppers expect more and better promotions — especially coming off of the holiday season. These promotions can eat into retailers' bottom lines. So how can they close that gap? Read this blog post to learn why services like product promotions and extended warranties are key to retail success amid today's promotional environment.
E-commerce and steady economic growth drove a 7% increase in credit card use in the past five years, according to a report from Packaged Facts. Previous research also points to fewer consumers using cash, especially those with household incomes of at least $75,000.
IHA talked with industry veteran Marsha Everton, principal of the AIMsights Group, to learn about her program on millennials and their attitudes about spending, technology and healthy living that she will present in the Innovation Theater at The Inspired Home Show. The Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics will include successful retail practices, consumer research findings and more. Read more on the Show blog!
Meet with WSJ, FOX Business, Yahoo at Show Preview press event
Don't miss this opportunity to be one of just 60 exhibitors exclusively showing their new products to the consumer and trade media at The Inspired Home Show Preview press event Jan. 30 in New York City. Fewer than five tables remain. Media outlets planning to attend include The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, FOX Business, Dotdash, Yahoo Finance, Real Simple, Forbes.com, Techlicious, NBC News, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, O--The Oprah Magazine and more. The Preview is a four-hour tabletop exhibition. You must have assigned booth space to participate. Email Debbie Teschke to sign up.
