eCommerce

Kohl’s is in growth mode when it comes to the retailer’s store base.

Next year, Kohl’s plans to open five to 10 new stores in a smaller 35,000-sq.-ft. prototype, aimed at underserved areas. Kohl’s also plans to open 10 to 15 stores dedicated to its proprietary Fila brand in outlet malls across the country. Additionally, the retailer will open two more Off-Aisle by Kohl’s off-price locations in 2016.

U.S. consumers will generate only a lackluster 3.2% year-over-year increase in holiday sales, according to the latest forecast of November-December spending.

Customer Growth Partners’ 15th Annual Holiday Forecast says retail sales for the holiday period will reach $607 billion, a new record, but the anemic 3.2% pace reflects declining median incomes for all but the top 20% of households.

Purchases made via Facebook advertisements are more frequently occurring via mobile device.

According to new data released by the Facebook IQ marketing insights division, three in 10 purchase conversions from Facebook ads between January and May 2015 took place on a mobile device (24% on a phone, 6% on a tablet). During that same period, the frequency of mobile purchases increased 35%, according to Facebook IQ’s latest internal analysis.

It won’t impact retailers’ bottom line as much as the new Buy Now button, but Twitter is continuing its evolution into more of a sales-oriented digital platform.

Twitter is testing a new feature called “Promoted Moments,” which builds on its Moments offering that was launched at the beginning of October. Twitter Moments allows users to click on a special tab and view a curated list of stories considered to be the “best” on Twitter.

Etsy is getting crafty with its customer service offerings.

The online handmade arts & crafts marketplace is launching a home delivery pilot called Etsy ASAP in the New York market for the holidays. Patterning with on-demand delivery provider Postmates, Etsy ASAP enables same- and next-day delivery from participating sellers in New York City for a flat $20 fee.

Doorman, a startup managed delivery service that provides consumers with a secure space to pickup online deliveries, is making itself more available.

First, Doorman has expanded its service to Chicago and will soon enter the New York market. Doorman, which launched in San Francisco in 2013, also operates in the Bay area. Doorman deviates from the usual package delivery model by operating warehouses where online retailers can rent dedicated space for consumers to pick up their deliveries.

Companies that are partially or entirely devoted to retailing dominate a new list of top brands among U.S. consumers.

According to a new study from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Apple is the top brand with U.S. consumers. Following are Amazon and Walmart. Other retailers in the top 10 list include Netflix, Costco and Chick-Fil-A.

But the survey also showed that Walmart and Apple rank first and third among America's least favorite brands, indicating that "brand love" can be volatile and turn quickly negative.

It seems as though off-price is one of the few bright spots in traditional retail these days, so it's no wonder that Hudson’s Bay Company is adding another off-price concept to its portfolio.

FedEx says a big boost in online shopping will propel its business between Black Friday and Christmas Eve at least 12.4% above 2014 levels.

FedEx expects the holiday period to include three shipment volume spikes: Cyber Monday and the first two Mondays in December.

The company said it was adding 55,000 employees for the holidays to handle the increased demand.

The TJX Companies is expanding into another country with its acquisition of Trade Secret’s 35 stores.

TJX announced it has completed its acquisition of Trade Secret, an off-price retailer that operates 35 stores in Australia, from Gazal Corporation Limited for $59 million. The acquisition of Trade Secret provides TJX an opportunistic entry into Australia, where TJX currently operates one of its 13 buying offices.