Latest news with #brickandmortar
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exploring retail-focused investment funds
Investing in retail-focused funds offers a strategic approach to capitalise on consumer spending trends and the evolving retail landscape. These funds provide exposure to companies within the retail sector, encompassing both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the expanding e-commerce platforms. This article delves into the types of retail investment funds available, their benefits, and considerations for investors. Understanding retail investment funds Retail investment funds are pooled investment vehicles that allow individuals to invest in a diversified portfolio of retail sector companies. These funds can be broadly categorised into two main types: Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and Mutual Funds. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are investment funds that are traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks. They hold assets such as stocks, commodities, or bonds and generally operate with an arbitrage mechanism designed to keep trading close to its net asset value, though deviations can occur. ETFs offer liquidity and are typically passively managed, aiming to replicate the performance of a specific index. Invest in Gold American Hartford Gold: #1 Precious Metals Dealer in the Nation Thor Metals Group: Best Overall Gold IRA Priority Gold: Up to $15k in Free Silver + Zero Account Fees on Qualifying Purchase Mutual Funds, on the other hand, pool money from many investors to purchase securities. They are managed by professional portfolio managers who actively make investment decisions. Mutual funds are not traded on exchanges and are priced at the end of the trading day. Both types of funds provide investors with the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of retail companies, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual stocks. Key retail ETFs to consider For investors looking to gain exposure to the retail sector through ETFs, several options are noteworthy: SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT): This fund tracks the S&P Retail Select Industry Index, providing exposure to a broad range of retail companies. It is known for its equal-weighted approach, ensuring no single company dominates the fund's performance. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH): Focusing on large-cap retail companies, RTH offers exposure to well-established retailers. Its portfolio includes companies like Amazon and Walmart, which are significant players in the retail industry. ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN): This fund targets companies that derive a substantial portion of their revenue from online retailing. It provides exposure to the growing e-commerce segment, which has seen significant growth in recent years. Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY): Similar to ONLN, IBUY focuses on companies with a strong online presence. It includes a mix of traditional retailers with robust online operations and pure-play e-commerce firms. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Discretionary ETF (RSPD): While not exclusively a retail fund, RSPD includes a significant portion of retail companies within its consumer discretionary sector. Its equal-weighted approach ensures balanced exposure across its holdings. These ETFs offer various strategies and exposures within the retail sector, catering to different investment preferences and risk tolerances. Benefits of investing in retail funds Investing in retail-focused funds presents several advantages: Diversification: By investing in a fund, investors gain exposure to a basket of retail companies, reducing the risk associated with individual stock investments. Access to Industry Trends: Retail funds provide a way to capitalise on consumer spending trends and the growth of e-commerce. Professional Management: Mutual funds offer the benefit of professional management, with portfolio managers making investment decisions on behalf of investors. Liquidity: ETFs offer liquidity, as they can be bought and sold throughout the trading day at market prices. Cost-Effectiveness: ETFs typically have lower expense ratios compared to mutual funds, making them a cost-effective option for investors. Considerations before investing Before investing in retail-focused funds, investors should consider the following: Economic Sensitivity: The retail sector is sensitive to economic cycles. During economic downturns, consumer spending may decrease, affecting the performance of retail companies. Interest Rates: Rising interest rates can lead to higher borrowing costs for retailers, potentially impacting their profitability. Competition: The retail industry is highly competitive, with companies constantly vying for market share. Investors should assess how well a company is positioned to compete in the market. Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar: The shift towards online shopping has disrupted traditional retail models. Investors should consider how companies are adapting to this change. Fund Fees: While ETFs generally have lower fees, it's essential to compare the expense ratios of different funds to ensure cost-effectiveness. The takeaway Retail-focused investment funds offer investors a means to participate in the retail sector's growth and evolution. By understanding the types of funds available, their benefits, and the considerations involved, investors can make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance. Whether through ETFs or mutual funds, these investment vehicles provide a diversified approach to accessing the retail industry, catering to various investment preferences and strategies. "Exploring retail-focused investment funds" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bed Bath & Beyond is back—with a slightly different name
Bed Bath & Beyond has returned to brick-and-mortar retail. The company has launched Bed Bath & Beyond Home in Nashville, Tenn. If the store proves successful, four more locations could open by end of year. Bed Bath & Beyond is proving to be a company that just won't go away. The retailer, which filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and shut down all of its stores, is now celebrating its return to the brick-and-mortar world with a tweak to the name. Bed Bath & Beyond Home opened its doors in Nashville, Tenn. last Friday. That store will serve as a test location, according to the owner of the Bed Bath & Beyond brand. If it's successful, another four locations could be open before the end of the year. 'We're proud to reintroduce one of retail's most iconic names with the launch of Bed Bath & Beyond Home,' said Amy Sullivan, CEO of The Brand House Collective, which owns the brand now. 'This isn't just a store, it's a fresh start for a brand that means something special to so many families. With Bed Bath & Beyond Home we're delivering on our mission to offer great brands, for any budget, in every room. It's a powerful addition to our portfolio and a meaningful step forward in our transformation.' While all 360 of the store's original locations closed with the bankruptcy filing, Bed Bath & Beyond didn't stay dead for long. Overstock (which is part of The Brand House Collective) bought the brand's intellectual property from the bankruptcy courts and rebranded its flagship site as Bed Bath & Beyond (and revived the company's website). Bed Bath & Beyond was, for a while, a favorite of meme stock traders. In July 2022, shares soared 365% after a filing revealed activist investor Ryan Cohen's RC Ventures fund was maintaining its holding in the company, with a prediction shares would hit $80 per share. Cohen, founder of Chewy and chairman of other meme stock favorite GameStop, suddenly reversed course in August, though, dumping his entire holdings, more than 9.4 million shares. That caused the stock to plunge—and led to calls for an SEC investigation into Cohen, which never materialized. The company's real problems, though, came during the pandemic. Bed Bath & Beyond missed out on the wave of shoppers its competitors saw during those times as it was in the midst of a failed overhaul, where it planned to rely more on private brands than products like KitchenAid. Consumers bypassed its offerings, opting for convenience and familiar names. This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
11-08-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Halifax shop shows there is a place for pre-loved clothing on the runway
Esmé & Evee's owner Madeleine Esmé Villa is turning her dream into a statement at this years Halifax Fashion Week, just a month after opening her brick-and-mortar shop on Agricola Street. Villa made her side hustle a full-time job by falling in love with the thrill of the find. 'I started this business as a hobby on the side on Instagram about four years ago,' Villa said. 'Then I started doing pop-up events, and that's where I really found a love for this. I loved interacting with people in person and talking with them about what they were looking for and just seeing them get excited about the same things I got excited about. 'So now flash forward about four-and-a-half years later, and I have my brick-and-mortar store here on Agricola Street.' Esmé & Evee opened its doors to the public more than a month ago, and they are already seeing the success. 'This is actually my second time,' a shopper said. 'I was here, actually last night with my mom, and I was like, 'Mom, we gotta go,' and she couldn't get out of here. 'I found some really cute orange pants and sweater that has, like, embroidered flowers on it. It looks a lot more personal than just like any random sweater.' The stigma around second-hand shopping seems to be changing, given the climates both financially and environmentally. 'I find it more sustainable. An affordable way to get clothing that's going to last a while. And not just, like, tear after a few weeks,' said the shopper. 'It was kind of looked down upon or considered, you know, for certain people and not others. So, I think that a lot of these things have shifted,' said Villa. 'Also coupled with the fact that when they say things just aren't made the way they used to be, it does ring true. And then, of course, in combination with the fact that we are experience and climate change, and we are all actively, for the most part, trying to find ways in our own lives to help, and to be more mindful in our consumption. And the fashion industry is one of the most volatile industries in regard to climate change.' Esmé & Evee Esmé & Evee is located on Agricola Street in Halifax. (Source: Brianne Foley/CTV News Atlantic) Which is why Villa will be the spokesmodel for sustainability for Mills Fashion Week in Halifax, to show high fashion can be environmentally friendly. 'Halifax Fashion Week is just wanting to put a spotlight on that. So having a spokesmodel is imperative to just kind of help bring more attention to that and make it their focus,' Villa said. 'And I think just having a runway show is to show that, you know, second-hand items do have the legs to stand on a runway. 'They should still be showed off. They should still be loved and showcased. So, my show is going to highlight vintage beauty of our garments and what we kind of stand to lose if we don't think more critically about, how we consume, fashion and what we're, you know, enabling when we do consume fast fashion.' Plus, there is something to be said about the thrill of the hunt in vintage shopping. 'It kind of scratches that primal instinct of hunting and gathering,' said Villa. 'And whether or not that scientifically true, I do think that that thrill of the find is really, really special and unique. 'There is something so beautiful about picking up something that has lived a life and knowing that it's going to live in your life, too.' Which goes hand in hand with what Villa is trying to give the public, even from the roots of the store's name. 'Esmé is my middle name, but it stands for my grandparents first initials,' she said. 'So E is for my Nonna Elide, S is for my Nonno Salvatore, M is for my Nonna Maria and E is for my Nonno Egidio. And if you couldn't tell very Italian. They all immigrated here in the 50's through Peir 21. Both my Nonna's had worked as seamstresses in factories. 'So, it does feel like a bit of an homage to them. And Evee is my adorable pup, and I like alliteration.' Villa continues to work in the community, putting on monthly Vintage markets where multiple vendors can come together under one roof. The August market just passed, but the next one will be Sept. 13. And while Aug. 17 is international thrifting day, Villa is happy to say every day is thrifting day for her. 'This was always the dream. To have a shop. And it came a lot quicker than I ever expected it to.' Madeleine Esmé Villa Madeleine Esmé Villa and her dog stand in her shop. (Source: Brianne Foley/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Store Pickup More Popular Than Home Delivery Among Back-to-School Shoppers, According to Sensormatic Solutions Survey
70% of shoppers plan to head into brick-and-mortar store locations to complete their back-to-school buying. Large crowds (43%), lack of time to shop (33%) and long lines at points of sale (25%) are top challenges for in-person shoppers. NEUHAUSEN, Switzerland, July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), today released the findings of its 2025 U.S. Back-to-School Consumer Sentiment Survey, showing that the majority (70%) of respondents plan to visit brick-and-mortar store locations to stock up ahead of the school year. Additionally, the survey found that interest in "buy online, pickup in store" (BOPIS; 46%) has risen from last year (43%) and now outpaces interest in at-home delivery (38%). "High interest for in-store shopping and pickup options indicates consumers' appreciation for the unique benefits brick-and-mortar retail has to offer, especially during peak traffic periods like the back-to-school shopping season," said Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions. "In-store and curbside pickup options present shoppers a chance to get the best of both worlds: the convenience that comes with online ordering and the immediacy of in-store visits. Retailers who prioritize flawless omnichannel execution this summer are likely to be customer favorites." The survey also shed light on when shoppers are planning to kick off their shopping, with August (39%) emerging as the most popular month and July (34%) as a close second. Nearly half (48%) of respondents plan to shop earlier due to concerns about product availability and potential supply chain disruption. These findings are in line with Sensormatic Solutions traffic predictions for the 2025 back-to-school season and historical patterns to date. Survey responses also reveal the top factors most likely to affect shoppers as they prepare for the upcoming academic year: 1. PricePrice sensitivity is high, with more than three-quarters (76%) of respondents citing cost among the factors most likely to impact their shopping experiences. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents also share that they plan to spend less than they did last year. 34% of respondents say in-store promotions are important to their experiences. 54% of respondents will seek out discount or secondhand retail locations to help control spending. 2. Products and availabilityNearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents cite product availability/supply chain disruptions as a top factor in their shopping experiences, and more than half (55%) rank out-of-stocks among the most significant challenges they anticipate this year. Among shoppers who say they plan to use BOPIS, more than one-third (36%) cite same-day pickup as a top motivator. Apparel (69%), shoes (53%) and school supplies (43%) will again be the categories on which shoppers plan to spend the most. 3. In-store experiencesBottlenecks and poor service still have the power to sway shoppers amid financial and availability-related concerns, though responses were less uniform. Safe and comfortable store environments (44%), proximity to the store (30%) and checkout speeds (26%) are all likely to significantly affect shoppers' choices this year. Large crowds (43%), lack of time to shop (33%) and long lines at points of sale (25%) are top challenges for in-person shoppers. 49% of respondents noted they prefer to interact with retail associates only when immediate assistance is needed—up from 45% at the end of last year. "The margin for error on customer experience is getting narrower as expectations rise and retailers continue to improve their operations," said Tony D'Onofrio, president of Sensormatic Solutions. "The back-to-school season's busiest weeks are still ahead, so now is the time to key in on merchandise availability, labor optimization, and safety and security to ensure a memorable customer experience. Retailers that consider their operations holistically—from source to store—will be able to connect the dots across their supply chains for greater success." To learn more about what shoppers want this back-to-school season, read the full 2025 U.S. Back-to-School Consumer Sentiment Survey results. For more information about Sensormatic Solutions, visit About Johnson ControlsAt Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms. About Sensormatic SolutionsSensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, powers safe, secure and seamless retail experiences. For more than 50 years, the brand has been at the forefront of the industry's fast-moving technology adoption, redefining retail operations on a global scale and turning insights into actions. Sensormatic Solutions delivers an interconnected ecosystem of loss prevention, inventory intelligence and traffic insight solutions, along with our services and partners to enable retailers worldwide to innovate and elevate with precision, connecting data-driven outcomes that shape retail's future. Please visit Sensormatic Solutions or follow us on LinkedIn, X and our YouTube channel. Please visit Sensormatic Solutions or follow us on LinkedIn, X and our YouTube channel. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts: Jaclyn MessinaSensormatic Solutions by Johnson Controls Work: +1-561-235-6458Email: Madison SouthallSensormatic Solutions by Johnson Controls Work: +1-215-869-6452Email: Grace TorranceMatter on behalf of Sensormatic Solutions Work: +1-978-518-4504Email: jciretail@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Report: Store closures set to balloon this year
Published: Updated: Store closures have continued to gather pace and remain on track to far surpass the number of stores that shut down last year. 5,822 stores closed in the first half of the year alone, a new report from Coresight Research revealed. By comparison, 7,325 brick-and-mortar stores were closed in the whole of last year. Coresight predicted that as many as 15,000 stores would shut up shop in 2025. While the figures remain under that prediction for now, experts are still concerned about the future of in-store retail as e-commerce giants continue to surge ahead. Iconic department store Macy's and beloved retailer Kohl's have been among the household names to announce mass closures this year. Pharmacies have also been thrown into the fray, with leading chains such as Walgreens and CVS closing dozens of underperforming locations. Bankrupt Rite Aid has also closed more than 1,000 locations across the country as it goes through the bankruptcy process. 'US retail is in a period of unusually high real-estate churn as cyclical impacts confront structural shifts,' John Mercer, Coresight's head of global research, said of the report's findings. 'US store closures are up by two-thirds compared to one year earlier, while openings are flat,' he added. 'That closures total is compounding closure numbers that were already up, year over year, in week 27 of 2024.' The closure of local pharmacies is one of the biggest concerns amid the wider retail trend. The closures leave millions of Americans in so-called 'pharmacy deserts' — communities that do not have sufficient access to drugstores. More than 48 million Americans now lack access to a nearby drugstore, research from healthcare company GoodRx found. The figure has increased markedly from 41.2 million in 2021, according to the research. Online competitors — like upstarts Capsule, Blink Health, and even Amazon — have been eating at the brick-and-mortar giants because of their delivery methods and convenience.
