eCommerce

White Plains, N.Y. - IBM has unveiled the ‘Ready for Smarter Commerce’ program, a new ecosystem that gives clients access to certified pre-built partner solutions with integrated cloud, mobile and social capabilities. The ecosystem features partner-led solutions built on IBM Smarter Commerce capabilities such as IBM Commerce and IBM Digital Marketing Optimization.   

Seattle -- Amazon said it is hiring more than 2,500 full-time workers at order-fulfillment centers across the country.

"Today, we're excited to announce 2,500 full-time jobs, bringing new employment opportunities to local communities across the country," said Mike Roth, Amazon’s VP of North America operations, in a company statement.

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters reported substantial gains in net sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014. Total company sales in the quarter increased 6% to $906 million, less than Wall Street expected, from $856.8 million in the year-ago period.

Same-store retail segment net sales, which include the direct-to-consumer channel, increased 1%. Same-store retail segment net sales increased 20% at Free People and 10% at Anthropologie and decreased 9% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales rose 24%.

Helen Bryan has become the second author in the Amazon Publishing stable of writers to surpass 1 million copies in combined print, audio and Kindle editions.

Bryan, author of historical novels "War Brides" (2012) and "The Sisterhood" (2013), follows Amazon Publishing author Oliver Pötzsch over the 1 million threshold.

Toward the end of January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wal-Mart has given itself two years to match the online service and delivery speed of Amazon.com.

In an interview at the World Economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, Neil Ashe, Wal-Mart’s global e-commerce CEO told Journal reporter Dennis Berman was building new warehouses across the country dedicated to handling online orders.

Shoebuy.com, a leading global online retailer of shoes and clothing, has appointed Anabela Perozek as the company's new chief marketing officer. Perozek joins Shoebuy's senior management team and will report to CEO Mike Sorabella.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. is reportedly considering trying to raise private equity capital. According to Reuters, four anonymous sources said Aeropostale is working with the investment bank Barclays plc to consider options including private equity capital as well as a sale of the company.

Aston, Pa. -- Hastings Entertainment, a 136-unit multimedia entertainment retail chain, has signed an agreement for Actions Services Group to provide interior lighting maintenance to locations in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.