Marketing

eBay enabled record levels of e-commerce and transaction volume via its PayPal subsidiary during the second quarter ended June 30.

The global commerce platform and payments leader said revenue for the period increased 13% to $4.4 billion as the volume of e-commerce activity it facilitated (a metric eBay calls Enabled Commerce Volume or ECV) increased 26% to $62 billion. Net income increased 6% to $676 million, or 53 cents a share, compared to net income of $640 million, or 49 cents a share.

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in the Kansas City area on July 19. The stores include The Shoppes at Liberty Triangle in Liberty, Missouri, and Quivira 95 Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kansas.  

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

New York -- Fast-fashion giant H&M on Thursday celebrated the opening of its flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. At 57,000 sq. ft., it is the retailer’s largest store in the world and 13th location in Manhattan. It also is the first H&M in the United States to offer a full concierge service, and to carry the full H&M Home collection.

Walmart chief information officer Karenann Terrell will headline a first of its kind technology conference next month in Northwest Arkansas organized by the Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.

Williams-Sonoma has appointed Ronald R. Young SVP, global, as part of its strategy to grow the brand outside the United States.

“Global expansion is one of our most important initiatives, and I’m pleased to have Ron Young, with his more than 30 years of experience in global markets, leading our continued growth,” said president and CEO Laura Alber. “Ron’s deep understanding of the global retail landscape, and his financial discipline are the ideal combination of skills and experience to lead our global strategy.”

San Francisco -- Visa is launching a new service, Visa Checkout that enables consumers throughout the United States, Canada and Australia to pay for goods online, on any device, with just a few clicks.

Staples has officially launched the 2014 back-to-school season with its Make More Happen for Less promotion, which offers customers three ways to save on products.

“This year, Staples will Make More Happen for Less with guaranteed savings and exciting products not found anywhere else,” said Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online, Staples. “Our 110% Price Match Guarantee, Staples Less List and Weekly Hot Deals let customers find everything they need to succeed in school — at great prices.”

San Francisco - Visa Inc. is opening One Market, a 112,000-sq.-ft. innovation center and office space at One Market Street in San Francisco. The move provides Visa technologists, clients, partners and the Bay Area tech community an innovative space to jointly develop the next generation of commerce applications.