eCommerce

Shopzilla, a leading source for connecting buyers and sellers online, has acquired Connexity, a pioneer in the programmatic media buying and optimization space.

New York — Retail developer Edens has selected four finalists for its annual Retail Challenge, a nation-wide student competition for the most compelling new retail concept. The announcement of the winner kicks off this year’s smART: The Art of Retail conference.

Both the Edens Retail Challenge and smART aspire to incubate new ideas, share knowledge and identify the next generation of industry thought leaders.

New York -- Shopzilla Inc. has acquired Connexity, a demand-side platform. Shopzilla manages online shopping brands in the United States and Europe, such as Bizrate, Beso, Shopzilla, Retrevo, TaDa, PrixMoinsCher, and SparDeinGeld, as well as a series of B2B businesses.

Shopzilla said it would link Connexity’s programmatic media-buying platform to its Aisle A division, which specializes in audience-buying.  

More Americans this year are expected to put their tax returns in the bank. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Tax Returns Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 46% of those expecting a refund this year will put their money into savings, up from 44% last year and the highest percent in the survey’s history.

New York — Xcel Brands has announced the opening of the Isaac Mizrahi New York store in Woodstock, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. The 2,000-sq.-ft. shop will open on March 29.

Xcel Brands acquires, designs, licenses and markets consumer brands through an omnichannel sales strategy that includes interactive media, digital and brick-and-mortar retail. In 2011, the company acquired the Isaac Mizrahi New York designer apparel brand and an interest in Liz Claiborne

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Redfield Promenade in Reno, Nev.

The store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. Redfield Promenade is owned and operated by Kimco Realty Corp.
 
"We're thrilled to bring a Nordstrom Rack to the Reno community," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack. "This central retail location at Redfield Promenade is a good fit for us and we look forward to offering customers access to fashion at great prices when we open our doors next year."

Safeway has confirmed that it is in discussions concerning a possible transaction involving the sale of the company. However, the company declined to comment further at this time.

"Although the discussions are ongoing, the company has not reached an agreement on a transaction, and there can be no assurance that these discussions will lead to an agreement or a completed transaction," Safeway stated as part of its earnings release.

Vancouver, Canada – Amazon.com is the top digital Canadian retailer and U.S., retailers are generally outpacing their Canadian competitors in using digital channels such as online, mobile and social. According to the new “Chasm Retail 2.0” study from Chasm Digital, the top 10 digital retailers operating in Canada are:

1. Amazon
2. Best Buy
3. Home Depot
4. Sears
5. Lululemon
6. Costco
7. Chapters
8. London Drugs
9. Lowes
10. Canadian Tire