Retail Stores

Most forecasters expect solid growth in online sales this holiday season, but there are also signs that consumer confidence is waning in the face of the continuing down economy.

Routines are easy to fall into. Whether it’s getting ready for work and out the door each morning or tackling customer acquisition and conversion strategies, you’ll never discover a better way to approach these tasks if you stay inside your comfort zone. Similarly, it’s easy to recycle tried-and-true approaches to your retail strategies, especially for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Bed Bath & Beyond's aggressive promotional strategy appears to be paying off as the company reported another quarter of strong sales. The company reported that net sales for the fiscal second quarter of 2011 were approximately $2.314 billion, an increase of approximately 8.3 percent from net sales of approximately $2.137 billion reported in the fiscal second quarter of 2010. Comparable store sales in the fiscal second quarter of 2011 increased by approximately 5.6 percent, compared with an increase of approximately 7.4 percent in last year's fiscal second quarter.

Whether you consider yourself a frugal fashionista or a savvy saver, it's quickly becoming clear that consumers no longer view bargain hunting as a necessary chore, but rather an enjoyable pastime. According to Mintel Inspire's newest trend, Let's Make a Deal, the gamification of the saving experience will only increase in the future.

Hibbett Sports plans to open nine new stores in October, the company announced. The Birmingham, Ala.-based company has expanded to more than 800 locations across the country, most occupying about 5,000 square feet, since it was created in 1945.

The sluggish economy may be causing people to cut back in most areas of their life, but the kitchen isn't one of them. Seattle-based Sur La Table, a growing kitchenware chain that got its start nearly 40 years ago in Pike Place Market, has been bought by global investment bank Investcorp — a sign that it sees more growth ahead.

September is back-to-school time, but many students this year are going back to the future. Data from Compete suggest that e-books may finally be sounding the death bell for printed textbooks.

Despite the struggling economy and high unemployment rates, consumers plan to stuff their holiday stockings a little fuller this year. According to ShopperTrak, national retail sales when compared to the same period last year, will rise 3.0 percent during November and December, while foot traffic will decrease 2.2 percent.

An Ikea store in Australia is testing out Manland, described as a place for husbands and boyfriends with short retail attention spans to hang out while their wives and girlfriends run the aisles of Ikea. Think ultimate man cave stuff such as video games, foosball tables, free hot dogs, and pinball machines.

Flash-sale website One Kings Lane has raised $40 million from venture capital and private equity firms led by Tiger Global Management, the latest sign of growth for an online shopping genre that's upending traditional fashion and home retailers.