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Tag: Kohl’s

  • Google Takes Page From Microsoft’s Playbook, Targets Retail Cloud Market

    Google Takes Page From Microsoft’s Playbook, Targets Retail Cloud Market

    Google has used the National Retail Federation’s annual conference as a platform to unveil its latest efforts to gain retail cloud customers.

    Amazon may be the dominant cloud player, but Microsoft and Google are both working to chip away at that lead. One area, in particular, that Amazon is vulnerable is in the retail market. Many retailers are reluctant to rely on the cloud giant, with whom they often compete with for online sales. Microsoft has made headlines lately with a focus on the retail market, emphasizing partnership with retail customers, rather than competing with them.

    Google appears to be taking the same approach, improving their retail-oriented features in the hopes of continuing to be an appealing alternative to Amazon. According to a post on the company’s blog, Google has expanded its Retail Acceleration Program (RAP).

    “That’s why we’re excited to expand our Retail Acceleration Program (RAP) to a broader set of customers in 2020. RAP is a services offering that helps retailers optimize their websites, build a unified view of customer data, and drive increased foot traffic. Today, we’re also expanding the availability of Customer Reliability Engineering, a white-glove service that helps retailers plan and execute flawlessly during their peak shopping seasons. Customers such as Kohl’s, Wayfair, and Shopify have already turned to Google Cloud to help them stay worry-free during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.”

    Google is also using its position to help retailers provided a unified experience for customers.

    “Retail customers are becoming more and more “channel-less” in their shopping. It’s imperative, then, to provide a consistent experience for customers as they move between channels in their shopping journeys. Our Google Cloud API Management for Retail solution, powered by Apigee, allows retailers to easily integrate the systems that power different sales channels, providing a more unified shopping experience for customers.

    “Retailers struggle with the real estate that bulky computer servers take up in their stock rooms, and also face challenges in centrally managing all of their server applications. Today, we’re piloting Google Cloud Anthos for Retail, which helps retailers streamline and modernize their store operations. Rolling out more broadly in 2020, Anthos for Retail enables retailers to consistently deploy, configure, and manage applications across their fleet of stores at scale—without sacrificing performance or reliability.”

    With Google a distant third among U.S. cloud providers, behind Amazon and Microsoft, it will be interesting to see if the company’s retail efforts yield results.

  • Cyber Monday 2014: Kohl’s Online Deals

    Cyber Monday 2014: Kohl’s Online Deals

    Cyber Monday, the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, was a term coined in 2005, as a marketing ploy to encourage consumers to shop for their wares online.

    In 2013, Cyber Monday online sales grew by 20.6% over 2012, hitting a record $2.29 billion, with an average order of $128.

    Kohl’s is running its Cyber Week promotion through December 6, and is offering an extra 20% off on orders through December 3, with the promo code CYBER20. Free shipping is also available on orders over $25, through December 3.

    Kohl’s is offering different Super Cyber Specials each day of its Cyber Week Event. Notable Monday specials include:

    – An LG 49-in. 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV for $399.99
    – A Ninja Kitchen System Pulse Blender for $54.99
    – A KitchenAid Chef’s Chopper Mini-Chopper for $24.99
    – 60-65% Off Sleepwear for the Family
    – SONOMA, Croft & Barrow and Apt. 9 Sweaters for Men for $15.19

    Notable deals running through December 6 include:

    – A Toshiba 50-in. 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV for $449.99
    – Destinations Luggage, 20-in. Hard Side Spinner Carry-On for $39.99
    – A Guy Fieri 12-pc. Nonstick Cookware Set for $89.99
    – Croft & Barrow and SONOMA shirts for men for $9.99
    – Boots for Women, Select Styles for $39.99

    The Kohl’s department store chain began as a “Kohl” supermarket in 1946, and its first big-box retail establishment opened in 1962. Kohl’s presently sees the second most retail sales of any department store in the U.S.

    A Kohl’s in-store Black Friday brawl:

    In related Kohl’s news, a Texas man was banned from the store’s website for extreme price matching activities. Many businesses are now price matching their wares against other advertisements, but Israel Mata attempted to buy six $1200 chests of drawers from Kohl’s for $79 each.

    Mata found a promotion for the drawers on a website for $109, and along with a Kohl’s 30% discount, each piece cost only $79. Kohl’s shipped three, and then blocked Mata’s account.

    “They told me due to the fact that I price matched so much that they decided to ban me and freeze my account,” Mata said.

  • Black Friday 2014: The Best Deals

    Black Friday 2014: The Best Deals

    Black Friday, which historically has occurred on the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), is often regarded as the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

    Some of the most notable deals from various businesses include:

    Best Buy, which opens at 8 a.m., local time, and closes at 10 p.m.:

    – a Panasonic 50″ Class LED 1080p HDTV for $199.99
    – a 15.6″ Dell Touch Screen Laptop for $299.99
    – a 7″ DigiLand Quad-Core Tablet for $39.99
    – a Samsung 55″ Class LED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV for $899.99

    Regarding the 50″ Panasonic HDTV for $199.99, a Greenville, South Carolina man has been spotted camping outside a Best Buy store since Monday, in hopes of snagging the television.

    Kohl’s Black Friday deals include:

    – a Toshiba 40″ 1080p LED HDTV for $329.99
    – a 7″ Polaroid Tablet for $59.99
    – a Beats Pill 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker System for $179.99
    – a Toshiba 50″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV with Smart TV for $549.99
    – a Vizio 15.6″ Thin + Light Ultrabook Laptop for $1,169.99

    Walmart’s Black Friday event commences at 6 a.m., and lasts through the weekend. Select merchandise is 30% off from 6 a.m. until noon. Items include Samsung TV’s and home audio, all music CD’s and all artificial Christmas trees and lights.

    Black Friday Walmart deals include 20% off all firearms, 30% off all hunting apparel and discounts on Goodyear tires.

    Notable Sears Black Friday deals include:

    – an RCA 52′ 1080p HDTV for $379.99
    – an RCA 40″ 1080p HDTV for $249.99
    – a Kenmore stainless steel refrigerator for $999.99
    – a Kenmore washer/dryer duo for $799.98

    Home Depot is selling poinsettias for $.99 all day, and expects to move roughly 3.75 million of the plants this Black Friday.

    Lowe’s is offering:

    – a GT 35-inch steel firepit for $39
    – a Studio Sync Speaker Shelf for $49.98
    – a SHOP-VAC 12-gallon 6.0 PEAK HP VAC for $39.98
    – a 6.5-foot Pre-Lit Color Changing LED Artificial Tree for $59

    Here enthusiastic consumers challenge one another over underwear:

    Amazon’s electronics deals include:

    – a Samsung 40-inch Smart 1080p LED TV for $328
    – a Samsung 55-inch Curved Smart 4K Ultra HD LED TV for $1,298.

  • Kohl’s Black Friday Sales for 2014

    Kohl’s Black Friday Sales for 2014

    Black Friday, a ritual when ravenous consumers hoard big-box retailers to secure their deals, is right around the corner, and Kohl’s is offering deals online now, and will commence in-store deals on Thanksgiving day.

    The online deals will run through 3 p.m. CST on Friday, and the in-store doorbusters begin on Thursday at 6 p.m., local time.

    Electronics deals include:

    -A Toshiba 40″ 1080p LED HDTV for $329.99
    -A 7″ Polaroid Tablet for $59.99
    – A Beats Pill 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker System for $179.99
    – A Toshiba 50″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV with Smart TV for $549.99
    – A Vizio 15.6″ Thin + Light Ultrabook Laptop for $1,169.99

    Kohl’s is also offering $15 in “Kohl’s Cash” for every $50 spent, through November 30.

    The Kohl’s department store chain began as a “Kohl” supermarket in 1946, and its first big-box retail establishment opened in 1962. Kohl’s presently sees the second most retail sales of any department store in the U.S.

    In related Kohl’s news, a Texas man was banned from the store’s website for extreme price matching activities. Many businesses are now price matching their wares against other advertisements, but Israel Mata attempted to buy six $1200 chests of drawers from Kohl’s for $79 each.

    Mata found a promotion for the drawers on a website for $109, and along with a Kohl’s 30% discount, each piece cost only $79. Kohl’s shipped three, and then blocked Mata’s account.

    “They told me due to the fact that I price matched so much that they decided to ban me and freeze my account,” Mata said.

    Below is a clip of some Black Friday mayhem, as enthusiastic customers hope to achieve shopping success:

    Incidentally, Kohl’s incorporates a “racetrack” aisle that circles the entire store, a technique adopted from discount establishments.

    Let the games begin:

  • Lauren Conrad: Actress, Author, Designer & Foodie

    Lauren Conrad is a woman of many talents. Twenty-eight-year-old Conrad is known the world over for being an actress, a fashion-designer, and even an author. Now the title of “foodie” can also be added to that list.

    “I’ve been really busy, but I enjoy cooking. It’s nice to spend 30 minutes to an hour just having a drink, making dinner and listening to music. It’s my wind-down for the day.” Conrad said before adding, “I am all about presentation. I really enjoy baking, and if I go somewhere and bring a dessert, I always bake a pie. That was the idea behind [my XO(eco) carriers]. I was always balancing a pie in my lap on the car ride there and trying not to spill it.”

    Conrad has used her Instagram as well as her personal website to showcase unique, delicious recipes. The star previously listed the ingredients (cupcakes, icing, red food dye, an icing bag, and a 2D icing tip) while sharing the following, “get excited…we’re going to be teaching you how to make rose cupcakes on laurenconrad.com next week.”

    Conrad shared the rose cupcake recipe with her followers just in time for spring festivities. “Consider the treats for your bestie’s next birthday covered! These are also great to make for Easter celebrations and other spring holidays,” she wrote.

    Though Lauren Conrad appears to be the woman who can accomplish anything, the multi-talented celebrity humbly discussed her cooking abilities with US Weekly. “I am not a chef. The craziest I get is swapping out ingredients or trying to make delicious recipes a little healthier,” Conrad said.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons And Courtesy of Philip Nelson

  • Katie Holmes to Play Manhattan Socialite in ABC Pilot

    Katie Holmes will return to the small screen in her first starring role since Dawson’s Creek.

    The pilot, which will air on ABC, is currently untitled. Homes will play a Manhattan socialite who is described as Audrey Hepburn-esque.

    Homes will star opposite British actor Rufus Sewell. The pilot will be written and executive-produced by Richard LaGravenese, who has written screenplays for Beautiful Creatures, Freedom Writers, and P.S. I Love You.

    The pilot is set in New York City, where Holmes moved with daughter Suri, 7, following her much-publicized divorce from actor Tom Cruise.

    In August, Holmes will star alongside Jeff Bridges, Alexander Skarsgård, Meryl Streep, and Taylor Swift in the movie adaptation of Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award-winning young adult novel The Giver.

    Holmes’ other recent projects include starring roles in Days and Nights, Mania Days, and Miss Meadows.

    When she’s not working, trying to keep her daughter from becoming tabloid fodder, or advocating for breast cancer awareness, the actress can be found enjoying New York City.

    “I love the community in New York. I love New Yorkers. I ran into someone on the street the other day that I went to high school with,” she says. “I love the moments of spontaneity every day.”

    “I love the theater, the galleries in my neighborhood. Stuff [like] that is so much of what makes me love this city. I love the Knicks. I love talking to my neighbors in the elevator. I like feeling a part of something big.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Kohl’s Shooting on Thanksgiving, Suspects Charged

    Two men have been charged in a shooting that occurred Thursday at Kohl’s located in Romeoville, IL. Employees reported the alleged shoplifters just after 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night. Once the patrol car pulled up to the entrance of the store, one suspect bolted into his waiting car and closed the door on the pursuing officers arm, and proceeded to drive. The police made a statement saying the backup officer fired two or three shots toward the driver when he refused orders to stop, striking him once in the shoulder.

    The two men, Robert Russell, 51, and Gerald Chamberlain, 28, are facing charges after the altercation. Russell, the driver, is charged with attempted murder, theft and obstructing an officer. Russell suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder after attempting to flee the scene. Chamberlain, the passenger, who was inside the store during the ruckus is being charged with theft. Both Russell and the officer were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

    The suspects, Russell and Chamberlain, both have a laundry list of criminal backgrounds, including previous theft and drug charges.

    The police officer has been released from the hospital, with injuries to his arm and shoulder, after being dragged some distance by the car. Russell remains hospitalized.

    Images (via) News Footage.

  • Kohl’s Shooting Suspects’ Bonds Set at $400K & $100K

    The suspects in a Thanksgiving night shooting at a Kohl’s store in Romeoville, Illinois, have now been officially charged and their bonds’ set by an Illinois judge.

    Robert Russell, the alleged suspect who was running from the store when officers arrived at the scene, has been charged with attempted murder, retail theft, and obstructing an officer. His bond has been set at $400,000.

    After fleeing the store and being chased across the parking lot, Russell proceeded to jump into a Pontiac Sunfire. He allegedly then shut the car door on the arm of the officer who had been chasing him. The Pontiac’s 52-year-old driver accelerated, dragging the officer who was still partially inside the vehicle.

    Another officer ordered the driver of the vehicle to stop multiple times. When the car did not stopped, the officer shot several rounds into the vehicle, hitting the driver in the arm and shoulder area. The car then halted, and officers were able to arrest Russell.

    The driver was taken to the hospital and has not yet been released, nor officially charged. His condition is unknown, but he is expected to survive.

    A third man, Gerald Chamberlain, was also charged for his part in the occurrence that took place Thursday night. Chamberlain was still inside the store when the exchange in the parking lot took place. He has been charged with theft, and his bond set at $100,000.

    Romeoville police officers say that they received the call from the Kohl’s store on Weber Road (a southwest suburb of Chicago) around 10 on Thanksgiving night. The store employee who made the call reported that they believed a shoplifter was in the store. Upon arriving at the scene, police say they witnessed a man (Russell) running from the store and across the parking lot. An officer chased Russell into the Sunfire, which is when the rest of the events took place.

    The officer who was dragged in the vehicle was treated at a local hospital and later released.

    The Kohl’s store on Weber Road remained open throughout the entire ordeal, and stayed open through Black Friday.

    A man shopping at the Kohl’s store when the exchange occurred, Phil Koster, told a Chicago news station, “Definitely not something I expected tonight. [I was] just doing some light shopping, trying to get in the Black Friday spirit, buy a few things. A little shaken up, not bad or anything. I was within five feet of everything happening. It was very surreal.”

    Kohl’s later issued the following statement:

    “A police investigation is under way into this matter. We are cooperating with the authorities leading the investigation and are referring all media inquiries to police.”

    Main image courtesy #abcWNN via Twitter.

  • Kohl’s Shooting Leads to Charges of Two Black Friday Shoplifters

    Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for what you do have, but for others, it’s a time to remember ALL the things they don’t have and partake in a little retail theft.

    Two men have been charged in a Black Friday incident that took place at a Kohl’s store location in Romeoville, Ill.

    At 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving, police received a call regarding shoplifting inside the store.

    When police arrived, one of the suspects ran out of the store and jumped into a Pontiac Sunfire in an attempt to flee the scene. An officer went after him and ended up being dragged across the parking lot after his arm was intentionally closed in the car door.

    According to ABC7 Chicago:

    Police say a backup officer ordered the driver to stop multiple times, and when he kept going, the backup officer fired three to four shots toward the driver. The driver was struck once in the shoulder area, and at that time, the car came to a stop…

    Robert Russell, 51, has been charged with retail theft, obstructing an officer and attempted murder. Twenty-eight-year old Gerald Chamberlain, who was still in the store during the confrontation, has been charged with theft. The driver was identified as 52-year-old Charles Hinch and he is being hospitalized for his injuries.

    The police officer was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital.

    (image)

    A returning customer told MyFoxChicago this morning that she was informed by her husband about the string of events that took place the night before.

    “What bothers me is it was over clothing,”  Karen Hasberger said. “So that’s upsetting that somebody felt they had to steal clothing, and a police officer put his life on the line for that. It’s not like a jewelry heist or a bank robbery.”

    Kohl’s spokeswoman, Sydney Hofer, declined to release any additional information other than the store was cooperating with the police department’s investigation.

    Despite the frightful events that took place, the store remained open today for Black Friday.

    Image Credit: Youtube, instantnews1