eCommerce

It’s a done deal.   Private investment firm CriticalPoint Capital on Thursday that it has completed the acquisition of JackRabbit and its respective stores from The Finish Line.   The acquired company, its stores and e-commerce platform will continue to operate under the JackRabbit brand. At the end of 2016, there were 65 JackRabbit and JackRabbit-affiliated stores in 18 states.    

RadioShack Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, its second filing in just over two years.   The electronics retailer said it would close approximately 200 stores, and evaluate options on the remaining 1,300 locations.      General Wireless Operations Inc. acquired the then-bankrupt RadioShack in April 2015, with a plan to turnaround the struggling company by co-branding the bulk of the stores with wireless carrier Sprint.   

Shoptalk, the next-gen retail and e-commerce event, will kick off its 2017 event with 50 speakers on Sunday, March 19, including the VP of Amazon Prime Now, Stephenie Landry.   Sunday’s content will also include a startup pitch contest with significant cash prizes.   Shoptalk take place at the Aria, Las Vegas, March 19-22.   

Amazon continues to quietly grow its bookstore portfolio.    The online giant confirmed it will open an Amazon Books location in Bellevue, Washington — its second in the state and tenth overall — reported ReCode.   

Six months after launching home delivery, Meijer is expanding its breadth.   The grocery and general merchandise retailer is getting ready to offer home delivery across its six-state footprint, starting with Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 29, and Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana in April. Meijer also plans to continue rolling out the service to major markets in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, the grocer said.   

Ulta Beauty on Thursday reported a stellar fourth quarter that shows why many consider it one of the hottest retailers in the United States.      The beauty products retailer also said it would open approximately 100 net new stores in 2017, and remodel 13 locations.           Ulta Beauty’s net income for the quarter, ended Jan. 30, surged 30% to a better-than-expected $140.2 million, from $107.8 million in the year-ago period.  

Staples swung to a loss in its fourth quarter, and said it would close more stores in 2017.   The retailer reported a net loss of $615 million for the quarter ended Jan. 28, or $0.94 per share, compared to a profit of $86 million, or 20 cents per share, for the year-ago period. Adjusted non-GAAP earnings came in at $0.25 per share, one cent below the consensus estimate.  

Amazon is extending its Prime Now offerings to San Francisco members.   San Francisco Prime Now members can now get their hands on their favorite beauty, pet and grocery products in two hours or less.   Through partnerships with Peninsula Beauty, Pet Food Express and Sprouts Farmers Market, Prime members in neighborhoods spanning Oakland to San Francisco to San Jose can now shop tens of thousands of beauty and pet supplies, as well as healthy grocery products.