Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Shares of Amazon.com surged past the $500 mark after the company reported a second quarter profit and revealed more details about a phenomenally successful Prime day promotion that fell in the third quarter.

Baltimore – Even a reduction in income taxes couldn’t fully offset the impact of rising expenses on profit at Under Armour during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income decreased 17% to $15 million, compared with $18 million in the prior year's period.   The decline in net income came even as net revenues increased 29% to $784 million, compared with $610 million. Direct-to-consumer net revenues, which represented 32% of total net revenues for the second quarter, grew 33% year-over-year.

Target is always trying to appeal to a younger, hipper crowd, and its 2015 back-to-school marketing strategy is no exception.

The retailer has launched a new digital tool, Target Made For U College Styler, that allows the digitally inclined college crowd to design and shop for their dorm rooms and apartments.

Online retailer Jet.com is all about low prices and so far the upstart membership club competitor is living up to it value proposition.

Seattle – Nordstrom Inc. is letting women join the club. More specifically, Nordstrom is now allowing women to apply to its Trunk Club online personal shopper service that was previously only open to men.

Macy's Inc. is expanding same-day delivery to several new U.S. markets this summer, according to Reuters.

The news service says a Macy's official said that the initial plan is to offer the service in so many markets that it could get ahead of Amazon — which currently offers same-day delivery in 14 markets.

Currently, Macy’s is offering the service in Houston, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles and New Jersey. 

Clearwater, Fla. – Recreational boat retailer MarineMax Inc. should be floating after receiving positive fiscal results for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income sailed 29% to $14.9 million from $11.5 million in the same period the prior year, aided by gains from sale of real estate.

Revenue grew approximately 8% to $231.8 million, compared with $214.4 million. Same-store sales increased approximately 10%.

Amazon Home Services has expanded the number of providers and the services they offer in 15 metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose and Washington, D.C.

The move adds to existing availability in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Amazon Home Services now includes over 15 million unique services across more than 900 professional services, the Seattle-based company said.