Direct To Consumer (DTC)

For vertical medical accessory retailer Cielo Pill Holders, simply getting its products in front of potential customers is a key business challenge. To meet this challenge and also obtain third-party fulfillment support, North Bend, Washington-based Cielo has been leveraging the Amazon Exclusives program of the Amazon Marketplace platform since summer 2015. The Exclusives Program, which provides extra benefits in exchange for agreement not to sell items on any other third-party retail platform.

Consumers looking to sell their unwanted treasures now have a new option thanks to a partnership between eBay Inc. and FedEx Office. The two companies are teaming up to offer eBay Valet drop-off locations at more than 1,600 FedEx Office stores nationwide over the coming months.

The nation’s largest U.S. apparel retailer is looking to streamline its model. Amid first quarter same-store sales declines across all its brands, Gap Inc. said it is identifying opportunities to streamline its business to be more efficient and flexible. The retailer also is evaluating its Banana Republic and Old Navy store fleets, mostly outside of North America, with an eye to sharpening its focus on geographies with the greatest potential.

Abercrombie & Fitch is expanding its presence in the Middle East. The retailer has entered into an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to open stores in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Since 2013, Abercrombie, in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion, has opened eight stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Traditional supermarket retailers are facing competition on all fronts, from online pure players, discount grocery chains and from the extreme-value general merchandise retailers (dollar stores). While dollar stores remain a niche segment, consumables are becoming a more important part of the sector, according to a report on forbes.com.

Photos by Ben Rahn/A-Frame Studio

Canadian luxury outerwear brand Mackage returned to its hometown to open a sleek flagship that will serve as a prototype for the brand’s international rollout. The space evokes the dramatic beauty of artic winter landscapes, brought to life with luxurious materials.

Birchbox has added two new executives to enhance the customer experience, hiring VPs in product management and creative.

Terre Layton was named global VP of product management and user experience, responsible for global product management, the product strategy and roadmap, and the user experience. She most recently worked at Sephora, where she served as head of front-end product management and led strategic digital innovation projects. She has also consulted for several beauty retailers and e-commerce companies.

It’s a shame (or maybe a good thing) Hemingway and Bukowski did not live in an age where a vast assortment of alcohol is available a click away.

Omnichannel beer/wine/liquor delivery service Drizly is launching a new service that provides digital drinkers with a product selection far beyond the scope of local stores. Currently available in Boston and Washington, D.C., Drizly Connect lets users shop across tens of thousands of beer, wine and spirits products for next-day delivery orders.