Finance & Capital Management

Reston, Va. -- E-commerce sales grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, according to comScore. It was also just the second quarter on record to surpass $50 billion in spending.

The survey also revealed that nearly half (48%) of time spent in the retail category occurred on mobile devices, with smartphones (34%) outpacing tablets (14%).

Thanks to an agreement between Meijer and Voyager network owner U.S. Bank, Fleet drivers can now use their Voyager network fuel cards at Meijer gas stations in the Midwest.

Cardholders presenting U.S. Bank Fleet Cards or those issued by any of the bank’s Voyager network partners can now make purchases at 189 Meijer fueling sites in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Former Gap executive Pamela B. Wallack has been named CEO of David’s Bridal, a U.S.-based specialty retailer of bridal gown and wedding-related apparel and accessories.

The specialty retailer is looking to leverage Wallack’s abilities to grow and improve well-known consumer brands to help drive the strategic initiatives underway at the company, including expanding the store base, bolstering the e-sommerce platform, enhancing customer experience and adding to the portfolio of high-fashion brands.

Vernon, Calif. -- True Religion Apparel has entered into a definitive merger agreement with New York and London-based investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, in a transaction valued at approximately $835 million.

Abilene, Kan. – Discount retailer Alco Stores blamed the impact of cold weather across the Midwest for helping to produce sluggish sales performance during fiscal first quarter 2013. Alco Stores reported sales of continuing operations excluding fuel of $116 million, up 0.9% from $114.9 million during the same period in 2012. Same-store sales excluding fuel were down 2.2%.

New York -- Big M, owner of the Mandee, Annie Sez and Afaze apparel chains, will be sold to YM Inc., Toronto, in a $22.5 million deal expected to be approved by a bankruptcy judge next week, The Record reported.
 
YM operates more than 600 young women’s specialty stores under a variety of banners, including Stitches, Urban Planet, Bluenotes, Siblings, and Sirens.   

RESTON, Va. — E-commerce sales grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, according to comScore. It was also just the second quarter on record to surpass $50 billion in spending.

The survey also revealed that nearly half (48%) of time spent in the retail category occurred on mobile devices, with smartphones (34%) outpacing tablets (14%).

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Former Gap executive Pamela B. Wallack has been named CEO of David’s Bridal, a U.S.-based specialty retailer of bridal gown and wedding-related apparel and accessories.

The specialty retailer is looking to leverage Wallack’s abilities to grow and improve well-known consumer brands to help drive the strategic initiatives underway at the company, including expanding the store base, bolstering the e-sommerce platform, enhancing customer experience and adding to the portfolio of high-fashion brands.