eCommerce

By Kevin Smith, VP of onshore corporate services for ImpactWeather

According to Forrester Research, weather is the leading cause of business disruptions¹. From commodity demands and supply chain interruptions to community assistance, retailers know the power that severe weather has over their economic profits and losses.

New York -- UGG Australia on July 14 will launch an e-commerce site dedicated to its new tween-girls brand, I Heart UGG. The retailer also plans to open two I Heart UGG stores, in Waikiki, Hawaii, and in San Francisco, in early September.

The new line includes footwear, loungewear, accessories and handbags and will be available in the United States, Japan and China.

Denver - While on summer vacation, nearby location trumps brands for many types of consumer purchases, and mobile devices will be the dominant form of search. A new study conducted by location marketing automation provider Placeable shows that proximity is apparently so important that only 1% of vacationers consider reviews when looking to replace a forgotten item.

Philadelphia – U.K. specialty maternity retailer Mothercare Plc has rejected two non-binding written merger proposals from Destination Maternity Corp. In a press release, Destination Maternity said its second proposal, delivered June 1 2014, would combine the two companies under a new U.K. holding company which would be listed in the U.S., for a total payment of $453 million to Mothercare shareholders.

Patchogue, N.Y. -- A storefront retail space in downtown Patchogue, New York, has secured leases totaling 7,400 sq. ft., according to North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management.

The 23,000-sq.-ft. space at 35-71 South Ocean Ave. will feature sushi restaurant 360 Taiko Sushi & Lounge (4,900 sq. ft.) and apparel retailer Jeans Fashion (2,500 sq. ft.).

Moreno Valley, Calif. — National action sports retailer, Tilly’s will open its doors at Moreno Valley Mall on July 1. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 19. The retailer will occupy 7,148 sq. ft. at the Inland Empire shopping center, which is managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group.

Philadelphia -- Five Below announced the departure of Jeffrey Moore, executive VP merchandising.

"Over the last seven years Jeff has been an integral part of the success of Five Below as he has helped build the world-class merchandising team we have in place. We thank Jeff for his significant contributions to the business and we wish him well as he leaves to spend time with his family," said Tom Vellios, co-founder and CEO of Five Below.
   

Hamilton, Bermuda -- Signet Jewelers Ltd. on Tuesday announced that Theo Killion, CEO and president of its newly acquired Zale division, has resigned, effective July 31.

Killion had been tapped to lead Zale as a separate division within the company, Signet said when the deal closed in late May. George Murray, Signet's current chief integration management officer, has been promoted to president of the Zale division and will succeed Killion upon his departure.