Direct To Consumer (DTC)

SALT LAKE CITY — Overstock.com is extending its limited-time book sale promotion, pricing books at least 10% below Amazon's prices. The online retailer will keep prices at that level one more week.

"This promotion is so successful we've chosen to extend it," said CEO Patrick M. Byrne. "We are already, on average, 9% cheaper than Amazon on other products we carry, so this just seems like the natural next step. It's a great time to be shopping for a book."

New York – The long-running legal dispute over whether J.C. Penney has the right to sell Martha Stewart Living products appears to be nearing a conclusion. The Wall Street Journal reports that lawyers for Macy’s, which is suing Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia alleging a breach of contract giving Macy’s exclusive rights to sell Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and Penney, which may face fines and/or a ban on selling Martha Stewart Living products, all gave closing arguments in New York State Supreme Court yesterday.

New York -- American Apparel has purchased the independent New York specialty retailer and wholesaler, Oak, according to Women’s Wear Daily.  

Oak has two stores (one in Brooklyn, and the other in Manhattan) an e-commerce site and a wholesale business. The brand has a cool, hip vibe, and features contemporary fashions at upmarket prices. It will operate as a separate division within American Apparel, and its founders will remain on board, the report said.

Net sale increases at HSNi’s HSN and Cornerstone operating segments had a favorable impact on the company’s total net sales, which increased 6% to $812.6 million for the second quarter ended June 30 from $767.2 for the same quarter last year.

HSN’s 5% net sales increase to $526.2 million for the quarter, from $502 million for the same quarter last year, was due in part to lower return rates. The average price point decreased 4% while units shipped increased 7% primarily due to an increase in clearance activity.

New York -- H&M has launched online shopping in the United States, effective Aug. 1. In addition to offering the same merchandise as in-store and some exclusive “online only” items, the site marks the debut of the H&M Home collection, available exclusively online.

NEW YORK — H&M has made a lot of its U.S. customers happy with the launch of its Shop Online store, namely those who prefer the convenience of online shopping over having to go to the retailer’s brick-and-mortar stores. 

The retailer also stands to reach new potential customers who don’t have a store anywhere near them, but are familiar with the brand. 

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market sees demand for 1,000 new stores in the U.S. and thinks Canada and the U.K. hold great promise as well, based on its sales increase of 12% to $3.1 billion for the third quarter ended July 7, from $2.7 billion for the same year-ago period.

Peoria, Ill. — Bar Louie Restaurant & Bar has signed for 6,500 sq. ft. at Streets of St. Charles in St. Charles, Mo., according to developer, manager and owner Cullinan Properties. Bar Louie will move into its first floor Phase II space next spring.

Construction of the development’s 400,000-sq.-ft. Phase II will finish up this fall. Phase II will house the retail and entertainment portions of the project as well as additional residential space to complement Phase I.