Pikmi Pops from Moose Toys on display at the 2017 TTPM Holiday Showcase in New York. Some of the hottest toys this year are LOL Surprise and Pikmi Pops. These and similar toys hide small stuffed animals or dolls inside plastic balls that are wrapped in several layers of packaging. Kids peel each layer, revealing tiny bags filled with trinkets, stickers, messages or other doll accessories as they go.
Associated Press/Sept. 26, 2017
NEW YORK - Amazon goes into the holiday season with a magnified brick-and-mortar presence, giving it more opportunities to sell its Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets and other gadgets.
The online retailer now has more than a dozen Amazon Books stores, which also sell toys, electronics and small gifts. Kohl's has carved out space for Amazon shops in 10 of its department stores. Amazon also has small shops in several malls, and is selling most of its gadgets in 100 Whole Foods stores and opening pop-up shops in five.
The Seattle-based company's physical stores are a small part of its business, making up 3 percent of its revenue between July and September. Still, having a physical presence gives shoppers a chance to see and try out the gadgets and interact with Amazon employees.
Shoppers walk into a Toys R Us store, in San Antonio. Some of the hottest toys this year are LOL Surprise and Pikmi Pops. These and similar toys hide small stuffed animals or dolls inside plastic balls that are wrapped in several layers of packaging. Kids peel each layer, revealing tiny bags filled with trinkets, stickers, messages or other doll accessories as they go.
Associated Press/Sept. 19, 2017
With shoppers moving more seamlessly between stores and mobile devices, retailers are trying to find a balance between investing in both. Until now, Walmart's goal was to keep store and online prices the same. But now it's raising prices for certain items online that would be unprofitable to ship, and noting that on its website so customers can choose to shop online and pick up from a store.
Associated Press/Oct. 26, 2016