Pinterest

OAKLAND, Calif. — Cost Plus World Market has updated its e-commerce site (worldmarket.com) to offer an enhanced shopping experience with social media integration, inspiration and solutions for the home, an increased number of products available online, expanded product information, a simplified checkout process and more.

BURLINGTON, ON — Ikea Canada has given its 2013 catalog an interactive makeover. When holding a smartphone or tablet over a page, users are able to access films about Ikea products, experience 3D models, look behind closed doors with an x-ray function or change the curtains and get creative. To access the bonus material, users must download the Ikea App to smartphones or tablets.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Post Foods has launched PostGoodness.com, a social website dedicated to positivity and simply helping others have a great day. PostGoodness.com will serve as a community, connecting users through good news and inspiration. People are invited to log on daily to share their good intentions or thoughts of motivation to help to set them on the right track for the day.  Each time someone shares his or her good intention, it will be added to a dynamic grid, inviting "likes", comments, support and shares from other users.

NEW YORK — Gap has launched its Shine On campaign, which features a ballerina, comedian, DJ, violinist and anti-bullying advocate alongside the winners of Gap’s sixth annual casting call contest.

Ottawa, Ontario -- Sears Canada has opened its largest Sears Home store at Pinecrest Shopping Center. The store will occupy 78,0000 sq. ft. and feature an expanded selection of furniture as well as the largest major appliance and mattress inventory of any Sears location.

"The opening of the Sears Home store at Pinecrest is another in a series of transformational milestones for Sears Canada," said Calvin McDonald, president and CEO, Sears Canada.

Washington, D.C. -- Consumers are using Pinterest to engage with retailers more than Facebook or Twitter, according to a survey released Thursday by Shop.org, comScore and The Partnering Group.

Additionally, the “2012 Social and Mobile Commerce Study” discovered that one third of smartphone owners who shop online share their location with a retailer.

By Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin

Editor’s note: Launched in March 2010, Pinterest now ranks as the third most-visited social-networking site in the United States, according to a recent report by Experian Marketing Services. Pinterest, which lets its users “pin” photos and information onto virtual boards, ranks behind only Facebook and Twitter in terms of total visitors, according to the report. It also skews heavily female — about 60% of users are women.

San Francisco -- Sephora on Monday unveiled its social and mobile makeover, which includes a new personalized web experience, new mobile website, iPhone app and iOS devices in over 100 stores.