Apparel Online India Magazine February 1st Issue 2019 | Page 14

RETAIL CURRENT TO EXHIBIT TO VISIT Ila Saxena [phone] [email protected] Shruti Arora [phone] [email protected] M&S witnesses increase in online sales, indicating lower footfall at retail outlets UK-based fast fashion retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) witnessed a growth of 14 per cent in revenue from its online clothing and home segment. The aforementioned growth was clocked for the Q3 of fiscal 2018. The revenue from the division, however, also indicated a lower footfall to retail outlets, which was mainly due to the rapid closure of its stores. While substantiating that the rise in online revenue was owing to significant improvements in to propositions and operations, Steve Rowe, CEO, M&S, said, “We aim to reshape our buy and deliver market leading value in addition to focusing on stylish and wearable ‘Must-Haves’, as we grow with our family customers.” He further added that the fashion brand has also increased itS focus on digital marketing while also improving its operations at Castle Donington. Notably, the womenswear online growth has also significantly outperformed, mainly driven by areas such as dresses and knitwear reflecting its ‘Must-Haves’ and social media campaigns. Walmart on a hiring spree; to add 2,000 technology experts to its workforce The world’s biggest retailer Walmart is planning to hire 2,000 technology experts this year to support its efforts both offline 14 Apparel Online India | and online. The hiring binge will support Walmart’s efforts to expand its online business and embed in-store technology, such as robots that scrub floors and scan shelves. The retailer’s new digital tools include algorithms that help store FEBRUARY 1-15, 2019 | www.apparelresources.com associates pick online orders faster by mapping the optimal route through the aisles. The recruitment will expand its battle against Amazon to capture the best talent beyond technology hotbeds like Sunnyvale, California, where both companies have offices, and into emerging corridors like Northern Virginia. It is looking for data scientists, software engineers, designers and others to work in nine offices from Silicon Valley to Bangalore, said Walmart Chief Technology Officer Jeremy King in an interview. The retail technology group that King leads currently has about 7,500 employees after hiring 1,700 last year, he said.