Rithum’s Retail Roundup is a monthly collection of noteworthy news and events happening around the world of retail.
Rithum’s Retail Roundup is a monthly collection of noteworthy news and events happening around the world of retail.
The Latest News
BJ’s announces new partnership with DoorDash, becoming first wholesaler to offer delivery through the app
BJ’s Wholesale Club will partner with DoorDash, bringing bulk items straight to people’s homes. Delivery will be available in 17 states in the Eastern area of the United States. Monica Schwartz, BJ’s executive vice president and chief digital officer said in a press release, “We are excited to expand easy shopping solutions for our members, while also bringing BJ’s wide assortment and exclusive products to new potential members.”
Nike steps up its game with a new tech innovation center
Nike will be opening a new technology center in early 2023 dedicated to improving the brand’s logistics and supply chain and reimagining the consumer experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The new technology center is another strategic step forward as Nike focuses on building its brand through direct-to-consumer relationships.
Lands’ End partners with QVC to sell swimwear
Lands’ End recently revised its brick-and-mortar strategy to concentrate on ecommerce. Last year, the company debuted its third-party Lands’ End Marketplace as a growth tactic for the company. And, recently, Lands’ End teamed up with QVC to introduce a women’s swimwear line. The collection was unveiled via the QVC TV channel and across its digital platforms.
Chewy launches freight service to fulfill linehaul needs
Chewy has announced Chewy Freight Services to place inventory closer to customers, and is in the process of launching a “transload overseas shipping initiative” to position international inventory closer to fulfillment centers. Chewy Freight Services provides the company with “deeper injection into the carrier network and enables a smoother package flow that helps both cost and customer experience, particularly during the kind of macroeconomic environment that we live in right now,” Chewy CEO, Sumit Singh.
Target tiptoes back into resale with new ThredUp deal, as it makes sustainability push
Target is tiptoeing back into secondhand sales through a deal with resale company, ThredUp. In March, Target launched a page on ThredUp’s website that includes listings of women’s and kids’ apparel, along with accessories. Some items are from Target’s private labels—kids’ clothing brand Cat & Jack, or its limited-time designer collaborations— Lilly Pulitzer in 2015, and others are from luxury brands not typically sold by Target. All are curated by Target from ThredUp’s inventory.
Macy’s to invest $584 million in new fulfillment center
Macy’s has been expanding its digital capabilities. The company’s digital sales rose 12% in its fourth quarter over last year, with ecommerce accounting for 39% of net sales. Its latest investment will be to open a new fulfillment center in China Grove, N.C., in 2024 to meet the growing demands of its omnichannel business. When fully operational, the new center will account for nearly 30% of Macy’s, Inc.’s digital supply chain capacity and serve customers nationwide. The facility will be equipped with new automation technology to increase capacity and productivity to help drive profitable digital sales growth.
Adidas to create metaverse avatars for fans inspired by new shoe collection
Adidas Originals is launching a platform to create metaverse avatars for fans based on their personalities and preferences for the brand’s latest Ozworld shoe. The avatars are meant to be interoperable—or freely traversable—along with the user’s owned assets across 1,500 different games and apps supported by Ready Player Me, a platform that creates avatars. Avatars are Adidas’ latest foray into Web3 behind its Originals brand, following a series of NFT projects and a partnership with Bored Ape Yacht Club.
Upcoming Retail Events
The Retail Innovation Conference & Expo is kicking off May 10-12, 2022 in Chicago, IL. This event is bringing together retail executives in omnichannel strategy, ecommerce, digital marketing and store design to discuss the latest industry disruptions and commerce opportunities. 4,000+ attendees are expected to participate, including top retailers and brands like Macy’s, Under Armour, Kohl’s and Walmart.