Apple, Inc.

Seattle – Consumers are partial to online marketplaces when it comes to choosing a starting point for digital shopping journeys. According to a new research study from Amazon.com and Pymnts.com titled “Innovation and the Digital Shopper,” 64% of respondents begin their shopping journey on online marketplaces.

New York -- Walmart has joined an elite group of corporate titans in taking a pledge to fight climate change. Among other things, the retail giant will double its solar commitment.

Walmart on Monday signed a pledge to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase low-carbon investments and invest in clean energy as part of a new White House climate change initiative, the “American Business Act on Climate Pledge.”

Beloit, Wis. – Athletic brand Nike, which first rose to dominance with the ascent of longtime spokesperson Michael Jordan as an NBA superstar in the early 1990s, is maintaining its leading position with consumers.

According to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by online deal site FatWallet, a leading 41% of kids are asking for Nike products this back-to-school season.

Minneapolis – Consumers who want to purchase an Apple Watch will have a new option as of Friday, Aug. 7.

 On that date, Best Buy will become the first national retailer, other than Apple Stores, where customers can buy the Apple Watch.

It will begin to arrive in more than 100 Best Buy stores and will also be available on BestBuy.com. Another 200 Best Buy stores will have the Apple Watch in time for holiday shopping.

A month after the launch of the Apple watch, Best Buy will become the first national retailer to stock the new wearable.

The watch will be available in more than 100 Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com. By the time holiday season arrives, an additional 200 stores will feature the watch.

“The Apple Watch is a big addition to our stores and website, and we know our customers want it,” said Jason Bonfig, senior category officer at Best Buy. “We are excited to bring the Apple Watch to more consumers, especially with the holidays coming up.”

Cupertino, Calif. – Sales of gadgets such as iPhone, iMac and the new Apple Watch, as well as services, helped propel Apple’s strong performance during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income soared 39% to $10.7 billion from $7.7 billion the same quarter the prior year, aided by costs and taxes that did not increase as fast as sales.   Revenue increased 33% to $49.6 billion, from $37.4 billion.  

Apple CEO Tim Cook says the Apple Watch is off to “a great start,” although the company did decline to provide specific sales figures for the watch in its third quarter report on Tuesday.

New York — The former head merchant for Staples and former CEO of Borders has been named president and CEO of eBags Inc.

The eBags board of directors appointed Mike Edwards as president, CEO and member of the board of directors effective immediately. He also joins the company as a new investor.

Edwards most recently held the position of executive VP of global merchandising for Staples Inc. 

The former head merchant for Staples has been named president and CEO of eBags Inc.

The eBags board of directors appointed Mike Edwards as president, CEO and member of the board of directors effective immediately. He also joins the company as a new investor.

Edwards most recently held the position of executive vice president of global merchandising for Staples Inc. 

New York -- Google made two announcements on Wednesday, both of which will impact retail.

In the first, the search engine giant said that the “buy” buttons it announced earlier this year will be deployed on a test basis in the next few weeks. The feature, called Purchases on Google, will allow consumers to purchase products directly from ads in select promoted mobile search ads.