Cross resigns as Bradley athletics director

Michael Cross, director of athletics at Bradley University the past five years, announced Monday he will resign at the conclusion of the women’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament, which is the weekend of March 12-15.

Cross, who became athletics director in January 2010, did not give a reason or announce future plans.

“I cannot express enough gratitude to the senior staff, coaches and student athletes for living our mission and core values and for their tremendous commitment and personal dedication,” Cross said in a prepared statement. “I also want to thank (BU) President (Joanne) Glasser and the University for the opportunity to lead the athletic department for the past five years.”                    

The news release from Bradley said Cross’s tenure “emphasized core values of accountability, courage, diligence, integrity and respect and included numerous accomplishments across all sports as well as the academic, branding, and licensing areas of Bradley Athletics.”  

Glasser, who announced last month she will retire at the end of this semester, thanked Cross for his service to the University and his commitment to academic and championship success. 

“Dr. Cross is a man of high ethical standards, integrity and character,” Glasser said. “On behalf of the University community, we thank him for all that he has accomplished during his service and wish him well in his future professional endeavors.”

Cross came to Bradley from Princeton University, where he had been executive associate director of athletics since July 2006. For three years before that he was senior associate director of athletics for intercollegiate programming.

Cross is currently a member of the NCAA Committee on Academic Performance.

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Survey: Men will outspend women for Valentine's Day

Men will spend far more than women on Valentine’s Day this year, according to results of a recent survey.

The Rakuten Shopping Secrets surveyconducted over seven markets, said men will spend an average of $104, compared with $45 by women.

The survey by Rakuten, one of the world's largest online retail marketplaces, also revealed that Americans will spend more on their fiancés than their spouses for Valentine's Day, spending an average of $154 on fiancés compared with $136 for spouses. Girlfriends and boyfriends come in third place, with the average spend $118.

Interestingly the next highest spending category was bosses, with respondents admitting they would spend $89 on their boss. Men would again spend more than women, at $96 vs $53.

Perfect gift ideas

If you are looking for the perfect gift idea for your loved one this Valentine's Day, the survey revealed some interesting tips. For men, top gift requests included:

• 38% said a kiss, a hug or something more
• 28% would prefer chocolates, wine or food
• 24% don't want a gift, just more of your time (compared with 20% of women)

Women are a little more focused on gifts as their top choices:

• 45% would prefer chocolates, wine or food
• 40% shared the desire for a kiss, a hug or something more
• 36% would like flowers or a soft toy
• 31% preferred jewelry

Trends around the world were similar, with a few interesting insights surprises  ̶  Indonesians are potentially the most loved-up group with 51% saying they would prefer a kiss, a hug or something more. The Taiwanese favor tech more than any other country, with 26% saying they would like to receive a smart device.

"American men have defied conventional perception by not only being romantic with their actions, but also with their wallets," said George Chang, senior vice president, Rakuten.com.

Lonely this Valentine's Day

If you're single this Valentine's Day, you're not alone, with 58% of respondents admitting they were single. Over half (56%) of respondents were not expecting to celebrate Valentine's Day, with only 33% expecting to receive a gift this Valentine's Day. Germany appears to be the least loved-up country, with only 18% of respondents expecting to celebrate.

Getting over a bad breakup

Over two thirds, 68% of respondents admitted to having had a bad breakup, with 38% admitting they would rather shop online rather than offline the first month after a breakup. When asked why, 55% of Americans said they don't want to interact with people, 48% want more privacy and 16% fear they will bump into their ex. Respondents in the UK are most likely to hide away the first month after a breakup, with 45% saying they would prefer to shop online, compared to 32% in Singapore and 26% in Spain.

If you are getting over a recent breakup and need some advice on the best therapy, the survey revealed some top tips. Over half (54%) cited talking to close friends as their top choice. Over a third (39%) opted for comfort food (including chocolates, fast food and snacks) and a third (27%) said would become a coach potato and watch TV. Shopping was also a top trend at 24% and 16% would get back out there and flirt with someone else.

About the Survey

The findings are part of the Rakuten Shopping Secrets survey, commissioned by Rakuten, one of the world's largest online retail marketplaces. The survey aims to uncover fun facts about shopping -- the world's favorite pastime -- among consumers in Asia, Europe and America. In the U.S. 1,000 men and women were interviewed through an online survey carried out in October 2014 by Added Value Saffron Hill.

Physical stores still bigger pull than web retail

While the digital age has encouraged more consumers to shop and browse products on the web, physical stores are still primary destinations for shoppers, according to PwC's annual consumer survey, Total Retail: Retailers and the Age of Disruption. 

Based on a survey of more than 19,000 respondents globally, the report reveals that the physical store remains the retail touch point with the highest frequency, driving retailers to transform in-store experiences with differentiated storefronts that turn stores into ultimate shopping destinations.

According to the survey, only 27 percent of U.S. consumers say they shop online weekly. Reserving the strength of the traditional store, 68 percent of U.S. respondents say they have intentionally browsed products at a store but decided to purchase them online, while 73 percent say they have browsed products online but decided to purchase them in-store. Sixty-five percent of the respondents noted delivery fees as the reason for purchasing in-store, as well as having the item immediately (61 percent), and trying it on/seeing it (61 percent).

"For the past several years, the story around retail stores was 'showrooming,' in which stores were places to display items for online purchase. However, this year's survey results reveal that the online shop has also become a showroom where shoppers research and compare prices for later, in-store purchases," said Steven Barr, PwC U.S. retail and consumer practice leader. "As online shopping continues to grow at the expense of store visits, we expect the premium in the future may be on creating unique, brand-defining store and online experiences that keep consumers coming back."

The environment for retailers has never been more complex as consumers continue to develop their own approach to researching and purchasing products, both online and in-store. Achieving "total retail" to meet the needs of consumers requires that retailers think beyond channels – however, retailers are faced with four waves of disruption, according to the survey results:

• The Evolution of the Store – Tailoring to the digital age, the role of the store will likely continue to evolve into something more connected, more customized, and increasingly attuned to shoppers' expectations of what the in-store, online, and mobile "experience" should be.
• Mobile Technology – Mobile is still a very small piece of the pie in terms of overall retail sales,  but mobile phones are increasingly a critical factor in setting the stage for a purchase
• Social Networks – Social media's impact on retail may evolve along two tracks: one for the developing world in which social media increasingly becomes part of the daily fabric of shopping, and another one for developed economies, in which social media continues to be more of a communications tool rather than a shopping tool.
• Demographic Shifts – Global aging patterns show retailers can count on a large segment of global consumers who have a long track record of spending and intend to spend into the foreseeable future.

Mobile technology is a disruptor that continues to play a large role in the purchase journey, but currently in the U.S., it is more of an instrument to get to the point of buying a product, rather than a tool for the actual purchase. About half (46 percent) of U.S. survey respondents have researched products on their mobile phones, while nearly the same percentage (45 percent) have used them for price comparisons. Mobile payments are still in the infancy stage, with only one percent of consumers using them as their preferred method of payment. Plastic still leads, with U.S. consumers citing credit cards (40 percent) and debit cards (40 percent) as their preferred payment methods. Additionally, security remains an issue as 33 percent of U.S. consumers say they do not use their smartphones or tablets for shopping due to concerns of security, and 77 percent are wary of having their credit card information hacked using a mobile phone.

U.S. retailers' and brands' enthusiasm for social media is also driving consumers to engage, and for some time it led many to believe that social media platforms were a robust vehicle for shopping. According to the report however, only four percent of U.S. respondents say they have purchased products via social media and 34 percent say they only use social media to follow favorite brands and retailers. When asked if their interactions on social media had led them to buy more, 36 percent said "yes, in some cases" — showing social media's effect on retail is just starting to be felt.

"Integrating technology, along with the power to engage on social media, has enhanced the consumer experience while requiring companies to transform their legacy system," continued Barr. "As these disruptions continue to influence the shoppers' purchase journey, the retail store will likely become an experiential venue for both online and non-online purchases. From in-store design studios, and personal shopping assistants to coffee and tea ateliers, retailers are offering a comprehensive experience, evolving into something sleeker, more customized, and increasingly attuned to shoppers' expectations of what the in-store experience should be."

"Consumers are seeking retail 'experiences' over simple purchase transactions, which is inspiring landlords and retailers to collaborate on making the destination more enjoyable, convenient and memorable," added Byron Carlock, PwC's U.S. real estate practice leader. "For the physical store to remain relevant today, retailers should adapt to consumer preferences, and our Total Retail report helps companies understand what matters most to shoppers today."

For more information on the U.S. survey findings and to download an electronic copy of Total Retail: Retailers and the Age of Disruption, visit http://www.pwc.com/us/totalretail .

'Humanity Stew' cooking at Corn Stock

Humanity is complex, without question. Emotions run the gamut, often in a very short period of time, as humans go from one condition to another to another.

Peoria playwright Hale Garrison enjoys writing short pieces about those varying human conditions, usually finding the comedy in each one.

But tying them all into one theatrical offering has been a challenge for Victoria Kapanjie, who is directing “Humanity Stew” at Corn Stock Theatre’s winter Playhouse. The play, which is the compilation of seven of Garrison’s short comedies, opens Friday, Feb. 13 for a six-show run that concludes Feb. 22 at the theatre in Upper Bradley Park.

“These are seven separate pieces that cover the complexities of life, including dating and love, anger and frustration, the corruption that often exists in politics. These exist for all of us and Hale captures them well,” Kapanjie said.

Each piece was written as a stand-alone play, but Garrison (the pen name for Peorian Gary Hale, a professor at Illinois Central College) rewrote pieces of each so they could be connected. Then he wrote dialogue between a grandfather, portrayed by Stan Strickler, and his granddaughter, portrayed by Megan Troglio, to further connect the plays through conversation.

That dialogue, Kapanjie said, “is for the grandfather to help his granddaughter find perspective and learn what really matters in life.”

That is the goal of the playwright and the director, she said. “These pieces all make you think. I would like our audiences to leave the theatre laughing and smiling, but also thinking about what really matters in their own lives,” said Kapanjie, who directed the two-person drama “Red” at Corn Stock two years ago.

The seven stories include some that have been performed individually in other Corn Stock offerings in recent years. One of those is “You Don’t Remember Me, Do You,” about a waitress who uses guilt to con her male customers into leaving huge tips. Another is “Red, Blue, Whatever,” about the two political parties deciding on their platforms and showing not only how they are vastly different, but much alike.

The cast of 15 performers includes many Corn Stock and local community theatre veterans. They include Strickler; Andrew Rhodenbaugh, who was in “Other Desert Cities” last month as well as “The Shape of Things” in November, both of them at the Winter Playhouse; Cody Cornwell, who also was in “The Shape of Things;” Aliesha Graves; Nathan Irwin; Susan Knobloch; Bill Liesse, who directed “November” earlier in the season; Jo Sternberg, and Tim Wyman, who is directing the “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” at the Winter Playhouse in March.

The rest of the cast are new to Corn Stock and Kapanjie said each brings a fresh perspective and energy to the theatre. They are Troglio, John Carroll, Gabe Ferreira, Trey Mowder, Liz Scoville, Hannah Shelby, and Emily Louise Trulson-Kumar.

“This is a great cast of actors. It’s great to have a group of performers that I know I can turn them loose, to a degree, and let them create. And they are very creative. We have had a lot of fun with this show,” Kapanjie said.

The biggest challenge with doing a show like this, she added, has been the scene changes because each piece is a separate story. “Because of that we’ve been trying to keep the set minimal and let the dialogue and the actors take center stage. Which is easy to do with a piece that has the kind of excellent writing this one has. That’s why I agreed to direct it; because I know Hale and I know and like his work,” she said.

Show times for the performances are 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 and 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 22. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. They can be reserved by calling the Corn Stock box office at 676-2196 or online at www.cornstocktheatre.com.