eCommerce

Hudson’s Bay Co. mirrored the challenges confronting the department store industry as it swung to a loss in its fourth quarter  and said it would cut costs and capital spending.   

Amazon will deploy a high-tech, green solution to help power its warehouses.     In a move to increase the energy efficiency of its sprawing network of fulfillment centers, Amazon has entered into a partnership with hydrogen fuel-cell maker Plug Power to deploy Plug Power fuel cells and hydrogen technology in its fulfillment network.    The deal includes an investment option that gives Amazon the right to acquire up to a 23% stake of the fuel-cell maker.  

Online shoppers are demanding more flexibility and control in their delivery experiences — and Newegg is responding.   The electronics e-retailer now enables its Canadian shoppers to ship purchases to more than 6,000 Canada Post retail post offices. Newegg created the program through a partnership with air freight shipping company Purolator International and Canada Post.   

A mall-to-outlet center conversion underway in Rochester, New York, took a big step forward this week with the acquisition of a Macy’s building on the property.  

As German discount giant Lidl prepares to enter the U.S. market, Save-A-Lot is bringing in a new chief executive officer whose resume includes a 13-year stint at the European chain.      The discount supermarket chain has appointed Kenneth McGrath as CEO, effective April 21, 2017. He succeeds Eric Claus, whose departure was described as a “mutually agreed” parting of the ways.   

Forman Mills is on a growth spurt — now it needs its point-of-sale (POS) to grow with it.   The off-price retailer has grown from a single store to a 36-store chain of “big box” warehouse-style stores across multiple states. As the retailer enters its next stage of expansion in connection with a recent investment from New York-based Goode Partners LLC, Forman Mills needed a front end solution that could support its growth, and drive more efficient checkout processes.  

A British lifestyle brand will open its first store in the United States this summer.   The White Company will open a 3,000-sq.-ft. flagship in the Flatiron section of Manhattan. Described as the first international flagship of the brand, the store will stock a curated selection of lifestyle, homeware and fashion products. A selection of The Little White Company products featuring white baby clothes and nursery equipment will also be housed in the space.  

Petco has acquired a digital pet services company and, in so doing, got itself an experienced tech entrepreneur to drive its digital initiatives.    Petco has purchased PetCoach, a pet advice web site and app that helps pet owners take better care of their pets, connecting them with veterinarians for personalized answers to their questions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.