Apparel

Instagram Wants to Be a Place Where People Go Online Shopping

November 10, 2016

Instagram is making it easier for retailers to promote and sell products through photos. The photo-sharing service is giving 20 retailers the ability to add tags to pictures to convey additional information such as prices and available colors. Brands participating in the trial run include Kate Spade and Warby Parker.

SML Predicts RFID Demand, Opens 'Innovation Centers'

November 10, 2016

Apparel

As the global retail market continues its march to adopt RFID, SML RFID has announced its opening of three RFID solution innovation centers, and has launched two RFID retail pop-up store demonstrations to provide information, guidance and production assistance, the RFID technology company says.

Retail Tackles the Omnichannel

November 9, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, Managing Editor, SupplyChainBrain

Brands Should Keep Supply Chains in Turkey to Help Refugees, Human Rights Group Says

November 9, 2016

Supply Managment

Fashion brands are being urged to keep their supply chains in Turkey, despite the widespread risk of Syrian refugees being exploited in supplier factories, according to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC). There has been "talk of brands shifting their purchasing elsewhere" amid increasing scrutiny and criticism of supply chains in Turkey, the BHRRC says, but responsible sourcing could provide decent work and valuable wages to Turks and Syrians.

Americans Prefer Ethical Brands, Dominate Online Shopping, Report Says

November 7, 2016

Apparel

American consumers prioritize risk-taking, adventure and living an exciting life when it comes to making purchases, according to global research by HSBC. This structural shift among U.S. consumers' purchasing habits is prompting companies to rethink existing marketing and business strategies.

Executives Claim Election Season Is Negatively Affecting Sales

November 7, 2016

The New York Times

The coming election will give the United States new lawmakers and a new president. But what does it mean for fast food, leisure cruises and bulldozers? As the nation's bitter, bizarre campaign season builds to its November conclusion, companies across a range of industries are using the election as a data point - sometimes as an excuse - to explain what's happening in their business.

Why Retail Today Is About Data and Experiences

November 3, 2016

Apparel

If retail advisor Doug Stephens is to be believed, the term "store" someday will be remembered as a relic of the Industrial Revolution as our culture and technology enable transactions virtually anywhere, thanks to socially integrated buy buttons, mobile commerce and more. We've already seen a shift in the language of retail away from "stores" to "physical retail spaces," which Stephens told attendees at September's SAP Retail Forum is a better way to describe how retailers should think about their businesses as commerce channels proliferate.

Investigation Finds Syrian Children Working in British Stores' Supply Chains

November 1, 2016

Supply Management

Syrian child refugees have been found working in Turkish factories supplying British clothing chains, according to an investigation by BBC programme Panorama. Journalists said they found children in factories that were part of the supply chains of Marks and Spencer (M&S) and online retailer Asos.

Shoppers Will Pay More for Experiences, Retailers Claim

October 28, 2016

Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Americans increasingly would rather spend their money making memories - travel, sporting events, concerts, meals out - than on another outfit, retail consultants say. So, after years of choosing the speed and wide selection offered by big-box retailers such as Home Depot or online merchants like Amazon.com, customers are demanding higher engagement if they're going to buy something in a store.

Large Apparel Retailers, Wholesalers See Rise in RFID Adoption, ROI

October 27, 2016

RFID Journal

The rate of adoption for radio frequency identification in the retail apparel, footwear and accessories market has more than doubled during the past two years, according to a survey of 60 European and U.S. retailers and wholesalers, conducted by management and strategy consulting firm Kurt Salmon.