News Briefs

Restaurant brand Subway plans to install a number of EV charging locations across the U.S. in 2023.

The Subway Oasis parks project will feature charging canopies, green space, picnic tables, WiFi access, and playgrounds. As part of a multi-year plan, Subway will start by establishing a series of smaller, high-speed EV charging stations at select new or newly-remodeled Subway restaurants before expanding to the larger “oasis” format further down the line.

The restaurant has partnered with EV infrastructure startup GenZ EV Solutions to implement the plan, and will also work with franchise owners on specific installations. 

• See Also: Meijer Deploys All-Electric Semi-Trucks Following Successful Test Period

“We're constantly exploring new ways to innovate and exceed our guests' expectations for a high-quality, convenient experience,” said Mike Kappitt, Subway’s chief operating and insights officer. “Our partnership with GenZ EV Solutions is a win for our guests, our franchisees, and our planet, creating a dedicated space for drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying their favorite Subway sandwich.”

Last week, Subway hinted at a possible sale in its future, announcing that shareholders were in talks with J.P. Morgan advisors regarding the sale exploration process. However, the company revealed “no indication of timing or assurance that a sale will occur.” 

 

Fashion retailer Bonita has revealed plans to streamline operations by implementing a new management solution focused on task completion, inventory accuracy, and increased transaction value. 

The Germany-based company has partnered with Zebra Technologies to roll out the new task management solution. The company said that teams from both companies will work together to deploy the technology in May 2023 across all 470 of Bonita’s stores in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Once set in place, the solution will be accessed by in-store associates and area managers on tablets and mobile devices. 

Among the features of Zebra’s Modern Store Framework are a real-time task manager that preselects tasks, lists them in order or priority, and notifies teams when they need to be completed, as well as the Q-Walk auditing system, Q-Chat instant messaging system, and the Q-Forms workflow form creation platform. 

• See Also: Karl Lagerfeld Streamlines Inventory Management With AI-Powered Allocation

In the lead-up to the rollout, the Zebra and Bonita teams analyzed workflow data to pinpoint potential areas of improvement and opportunity, the company said. 

Commenting on the process, Bonita’s head of sales operations, Marco Seidel described how, in the run-up to the rollout, the company “examined the usability of the solution with colleagues from all areas of the business and received very positive feedback,” adding that they were looking ahead to the next chapter in their transformation journey.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores, in coordination with Texas-based ammunition manufacturer TV Ammo, Inc.,  have launched a retail training program to educate thousands of managers and store team members at more than 150 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations nationwide.

The mandatory training program, named “True Velocity University,” utilizes four in-depth video “chapters” to familiarize Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store outfitters not only with the differentiating attributes of True Velocity’s advanced composite-cased ammunition but also to inform them about the company’s corporate culture, brand strategy and disruptive manufacturing technology. Upon completion of the training program, each participating outfitter will be tested on their knowledge of True Velocity and its ammunition.

“We realize that the thousands of individual Bass Pro and Cabela’s outfitters are critical to the success of our partnership with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s,” said True Velocity Chairman and Co-CEO Kevin Boscamp. “We want to make sure we are equipping them with the knowledge they need to explain why we believe True Velocity is the most advanced ammunition available on the market.”

“True Velocity’s culture of relentless innovation is a tailor-made fit with our company’s commitment of service and value to our loyal and passionate customers,” said Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops and noted conservationist. “We place value in the expert voice of our outfitters to help sportsmen and women find the very best quality gear at our stores. Through this training program, we are partnering with True Velocity to offer our customers the very best experience both in-store and out at the range.”

The deployment of “True Velocity University” is part of a broader strategic partnership between True Velocity and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Announced in November 2022, the partnership brings True Velocity’s line of composite-cased ammunition to more than 125 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Cabela’s retail locations across the United States and will leverage co-branded marketing efforts to promote an online subscription service enabling customers to order ammunition directly to their doorstep at a discount to retail prices.

BrandLab, the marketing and creative agency operated by RIS’ parent company EnsembleIQ, has earned five 2023 AVA Digital Awards. The international competition awards excellence in digital marketing and web-based design, recognizing creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital communications. 

The highlights:

• RIS News and PwC won gold in the Web Infographics category for Why Authenticity Matters
• Convenience Store News and Anheuser-Busch won platinum in the Web Interactive Capabilities category for Meet Your New BEE-FF
• Progressive Grocer and MilkPEP won platinum in the Native Advertising category for You’re Gonna Need Milk For That
• Retail Leader, Convenience Store News, and PepViz (PepsiCo) won platinum in the White Paper category for The Transformation of Quick Trips
• Restaurant Technology Network won gold in the Microsite category for Restaurant Technology Capabilities Framework, which includes contributions from AWS, Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Kiosk Manufacturers Association, Oracle Food & Beverage, the Restaurant CIOs Co., and the UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality

“EnsembleIQ BrandLab collaborates with clients to create custom marketing and creative solutions in retail, healthcare, and hospitality that deliver awareness, engagement, and connections powering business growth,” said Darren Ursino, VP of marketing and brand engagement at EnsembleIQ. “Winning these awards is a testament to our incredible team and the outstanding work we deliver to our clients. We are delighted to be recognized by the AVA Digital Awards for these digital solutions.”

REI’s accelerator program is entering its second year and is currently accepting applications.

The Navigate accelerator program supports founders of color with existing businesses in the outdoor industry as they scale their efforts. Currently, the outdoor industry represents a $459.8-billion-dollar-sector, yet only an estimated 1% of brands in the industry are owned or led by people of color, according to REI. To help close this gap, the outdoor retailer created Path Ahead Ventures – a $30 million investment to empower founders of color to start and scale their businesses in the outdoor industry.

In the second year of the program, Navigate will offer founders a customized learning experience tailored to their company’s specific needs, as well as funding, mentorship, and one-on-one strategic guidance with subject matter experts. Founders will also have opportunities to meet with and learn from experienced partners both inside and outside the industry, while building their networks and connecting with founders of companies at similar stages. 

Applications for Navigate are open now until March 12. Interested founders can learn more and apply at REI.com/path-ahead/navigate.  

 

Activewear retailer Alo Yoga is elevating the shopping experience, tapping into immersive technologies like virtual reality and streaming to capture consumer interest. 

The company has launched a new platform through which customers can access VR, digital styling capabilities, beauty and wellness tutorials, workout classes, and an improved checkout experience. Alo Yoga partnered with experiential e-commerce provider Obsess to launch the virtual store, accessible via desktop, mobile, or the Meta Quest 2 VR headset.

Within the experience, shoppers can interact with different types of content, build their own custom outfits, and choose from several workout videos through the Alo Moves fitness platform (previously only available to paid subscribers). 

Danny Harris, co-founder and co-CEO of Alo Yoga, said that interactive shopping experiences that incorporate VR are the future of e-commerce. “They are an exciting new way for a visionary brand like ours to reach and engage our community while transporting them directly into our world,” he added.

Angelic Vendette, VP and global head of marketing at Alo, stated the experience will help the brand reach and engage the Alo community wherever they are “in a 3D environment that feels unbelievably similar to shopping in one of our stores in real life.”

Anand Dass, director, metaverse content applications at Meta, said the technology is “transporting the digital storefront into virtual reality, and we are looking forward to learning how this could change the way consumers shop.”

Retailers have their eyes on immersive experiences, looking to differentiate their services from the competition. See how other retailers are approaching innovating shopping:

• H&M Gamifies Circular Fashion With Metaverse-Like Experience on Roblox
• Immersive Lifestyle Store Showfields Opens Georgetown Location
• First Look: Starbucks' Immersive New York Reserve Store
• Puttshack Opens Fourth U.S. Locatio