Direct To Consumer (DTC)

The number of Amazon Prime members are on the rise.   An estimated 60% of Amazon customers are Prime members, a group that is comprised of roughly 80 million members in the United States, according to research from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP). The study is based on responses from 500 U.S. shoppers who made a purchase at Amazon.com between January and March.  

The founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements has bought back equity ownership of the company.    Tariq Farid announced Monday that he has completed a buyback of equity of the company, which had been held by private equity firm L Catterton, Greenwich, Connecticut. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

Digital shoppers enthusiasm for buying beauty products online doesn’t translate into retailer loyalty.    While online sellers of beauty and personal care products continue to capture more market share, online shopper loyalty seems to be elusive, according to report by A.T. Kearney.    

Walmart’s tech start-up has added a new leader.   The retail giant’s newly launched startup investment arm, called Store No. 8, has named Jenny Fleiss as one of its chief executives, according to Reuters. Fleiss is the co-founder and former head of business development for Rent the Runway.   

Ethically sourced bridal and fine jewelry retailer Brilliant Earth is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint.    The company has just opened a location in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. The showroom utilizes an appointment model designed to provide a high-touch, personalized experience for every customer.  

It’s curtain time for Bebe Stores — or at least its brick-and-mortar operations.  

Camper, the contemporary footwear brand based in Spain, stays true to its tradition of creating unique store experiences for shoppers at each of its locations at its new outpost in Manhattan.   The 650-sq.-ft. store has a minimalist look, and features hardwood oak plank flooring with a satin finish. Oversized photo images provide a bold backdrop for product displays. The lighting is ambient and subdued in order to focus shoppers’ attention on the displays.   

The game is back on at City Sports Inc.    In 2015, the Boston-based sporting goods retailer filed for bankruptcy and closed its 26 stores. Shortly afterwards, two Wharton-trained brothers, Brent and Blake Sonnek-Schmelz, bought City Sports' intellectual property rights at a bankruptcy auction for $400,000.