Loyalty360 Reads: September 10 | Michaels Unveils Two New Test and Learn Concept Stores, European Wax Center Launches Customer Experience Management Program, and More

Michaels Unveils Two New Test and Learn Concept Stores in Texas
The Michaels Companies, one of North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain, transformed two existing hometown retail locations as part of a larger strategy to re-imagine the optimal maker shopping experience.

Customers in the North Texas suburbs of McKinney and Plano can expect an entirely new look and feel when they visit their local store. New store design includes concrete floors, updated signage and lower fixturing that allow customers to easily view and navigate our full store selection.

“At Michaels, we are here for the Maker and the launch of our new concept stores is another way we are creating a more immersive and impactful experience for them,” says Ron Stoupa, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are committed to testing and learning all we can around the wants and needs of our customers so we can provide the most engaging store experience.”
 
European Wax Center Launches Customer Experience Management Program with SMG
Service Management Group, a customer, patient and employee experience management partner to more than 500 brands, has a new customer experience management program with European Wax Center to advance the guest experience, uncover insights and drive loyalty across its growing network.

Founded in 2004 by the Coba brothers out of their father’s salon, European Wax Center has grown to include more than 750 centers across the United States. The brand is now recognized as the leader in waxing powered by their professionally trained and certified waxing experts. EWC offers a full suite of waxing services and a proprietary line of beauty products.

“From the beginning, the guest experience has been at the center of everything we do,” says Chris Kobus, European Wax Center CEO.
 
Macy’s Plans Rollout of Smaller Stores Away From Malls
CNBC says that Macy’s is betting malls will make it, but it’s looking to grow elsewhere.

“We continue to believe that the best malls in the country will thrive,” CEO Jeff Gennette told analysts Wednesday according to the CNBC report. “However, we also know that Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have high potential [off]-mall and in smaller formats.”

He said the department store chain is planning to test several smaller Macy’s stores outside of malls, as well as a Bloomingdale’s store off-mall. It is also still looking to grow its off-price business through Macy’s Backstage.

In February, before the pandemic, Macy’s announced plans to shut 125 stores over the next three years. Gennette said Wednesday those plans have not changed, but added that Macy’s is monitoring its competition closely and may adjust its store closure timeline. Macy’s ended the second quarter with 771 stores, including Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury.
 
Oracle Data Cloud Kills Off Its AddThis Audience Business In Europe
Looking for AddThis audience data in the EU? AdExchanger reports that you won’t find it. Oracle Data Cloud has quietly pulled the plug on that business line.

Although Oracle declined to say exactly when it began shutting down AddThis, AdExchanger says the process started at some point in the last number of months. Under the General Data Protection Regulation, unconsented third-party data – the lifeblood of the AddThis audience asset – is a form of kryptonite that Oracle Data Cloud (ODC) wants nothing to do with anymore.

Oracle Data Cloud’s VP of product management, Cecilia Mao, confirmed the move with AdExchanger. Although ODC will continue to make AddThis tools available to European publishers for free, “we no longer use AddThis data originating from Europe to create audiences.”
 
Kohl's May Help Amazon Grow Grocery Footprint
The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting that Kohl’s will allow an Amazon grocery store, likely its new banner called Fresh, to occupy space in a Kohl's store in La Verne, California. According to city records, Kohl’s would occupy about 50,900 square feet of the 88,000-square-foot box, with the Amazon grocery store filling the remainder.

An Amazon spokesperson told Progressive Grocer that “Amazon doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation.”
 
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners and Management Acquire Tropical Smoothie Café
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, has partnered with management to acquire Tropical Smoothie Café, a leading franchisor of fast casual cafes with over 870 units across 44 states.

Tropical Smoothie Café inspires a healthier lifestyle by serving smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads across multiple dayparts. Tropical Smoothie Cafe was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

The brand will continue to be run by the existing executive team led by CEO Charles Watson. According to Matthew Frankel, Managing Partner of LLCP, "We are excited to partner with Charles and the rest of the management team who have led the tremendous growth of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. We look forward to working with them as they continue to increase system-wide sales, improve franchisee unit economics and expand unit count in the significant remaining whitespace."
 

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