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Target is hitting the books.  

Amazon’s investments in the shoe business are paying off.   While 2017 is not even close to over, it is shaping up to being a strong year for shoes on Amazon. The company has already experienced 18% growth year-over-year during the first two quarters, alone. For 2016, Amazon had a total of 35% year-over-year growth, according to a study by One Click Retail.   

Another retail sector continues to consolidate.   The Aldo Group Inc. said it will acquire the footwear and accessories businesses of the Camuto Group. Both companies are family owned. The news comes just over a week after Michael Kors announced it was buying Jimmy Choo.   

Amazon’s Australian online store is one step closer to launching.   In addition to announcing the site of its first Australian warehouse, the online giant also named a German executive as its country manager. Both moves indicate that Amazon is preparing to launch its online store in the world's 12th-biggest economy, according to Reuters.  

Sugarfina is looking to expand its luxury candy offerings, online and in stores.    The company announced it has closed a $35 million growth equity financing from Great Hill Partners, bringing Sugarfina's total funding to over $50 million. The new funding will be used to continue scaling the brand across retail, digital, wholesale, and corporate gifting, and to expand internationally to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Sugarfina will begin its overseas expansion in early 2018.  

Party City topped earnings estimates for its second quarter and said it is on track to deliver its full year total revenue and earnings guidance.    The party supplies retailer and wholesaler reported net income of $25.0 million in the quarter, compared to $22.5 million in the year-ago period. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 28 cents per share, topping Wall Street expectations  

Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space:    Away  

Driven by the need “to solve problems for its shoppers,” Boxed is about to make it easier than ever for customers to reorder merchandise — without even having to think about it.