Corporate Governance

Online holiday sales to total $61 billion
Increased use of tablets and smartphone this holiday season will help online sales grow 16% to a record $61 billion, but desktop computers still dominate, according to the online measurement firm comScore.

The company said online sales during the November and December timeframe would be primarily driven by desktop computers, but noted that mobile devices are growing at a faster rate. Spending using desktop computers is projected to grow 14% to $53.2 billion while mobile commerce is projected to grow 25% to $7.9 billion and account for 13% of total e-commerce sales.
Hunters hurt Dick’s Q3, golfers did more damage
A lack of golfers and hunters didn’t prevent Dick’s Sporting Goods from realizing third quarter profit expectations and increasing e-commerce penetration to a new high.

The company’s total sales increased 9% to $1.5 billion and sames-store sales increased 1.1%, toward the low end of the company’s guidance, which envisioned a 1% to 3% increase.

Guitar Center names former Sports Authority CEO as chief executive

Los Angeles -- Guitar Center has named retailing veteran Darrell Webb as president and CEO, effective Nov. 17, 2014. Webb previously served as chairman and CEO of Sports Authority from 2011 to 2013.
Report: CVS will open Boston innovation lab

Woonsokcet, R.I. -- CVS Health will reportedly open a 15,000-sq.-ft. digital innovation lab in Boston during the upcoming winter. According to BetaBoston, CVS hopes to ultimately have about 100 employees working at the center, both new hires and workers moved from the CVS headquarters in Woonsocket, R.I.
Brookstone names Toys ‘R Us exec as president/CEO

Merrimack, N.H. -- Brookstone Inc. will appoint senior retail executive Thomas M. Via as president and CEO, and as a member of its board of directors, effective Dec. 1. Steven H. Schwartz, who had been serving as interim CEO, will resume his role as chief merchandising officer.
Urban Outfitters misses on Q3 profit, same-store sales

Philadelphia –- Urban Outfitters missed Wall Street expectations for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 with a larger-than-predicted 33% decline in net income to $47.14 million from $70.26 million in the same period a year earlier. In addition, same-store sales fell 1% compared to expectations of flat results.
Report: Urban Decay opens first brick-and-mortar store

Newport Beach, Calif. –- Formerly pure-play online specialty cosmetics retailer Urban Decay has reportedly entered the brick-and-mortar arena. According to the Los Angeles Times, Urban Decay opened its first physical store, at the Fashion Island mall in its headquarters town of Newport Beach, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 17.
Dunkin’ Donuts plans seven new Arizona stores

Canton, Mass. –- Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisees ABDD Arizona to develop seven restaurants in Phoenix. The group's first restaurant from this franchise agreement opened Oct. 27.
DHL rebrands mail service as DHL eCommerce

Weston, Fla. –- Logistics and transportation provide DHL is changing the brand name of DHL Global Mail to DHL eCommerce as the company focuses to provide customers with new e-commerce solutions.
Guest Commentary: Made in the USA?

Unless you are a grandstanding politician, the notion of American apparel production may feel like it was declared dead years ago. Our share of domestically manufactured apparel has dropped from 50% in 1994 to 2.5% in 2012, and this trend shows little sign of reversing on a macro level.
Dayton Mall to introduce Artec Group Shapify Booth

Dayton, Ohio -- The Dayton Mall is launching the Shapify Booth, a 3D full body scanner from Artec Group, on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in the mall’s center court. The booth takes a full scan of a person in 12 seconds, which is then 3D printed to create a full-color figurine called a “Shapie.”
Deloitte: Consumer spending dips in October

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index marginally dipped in October after two months of consecutive increases. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending. The Index, which comprises four components--tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices--decreased to 4.1 in October from 4.4 the prior month. Highlights of the Index include: