eCommerce

Early and optimistic are two words that sum up retailers’ attitudes toward the 2015 holiday season, according to new retailer survey conducted by ChannelAdvisor.

ChannelAdvisor surveyed more than 200 e-commerce decision-makers at U.S. and U.K retailers to gain insight into holiday promotional activities and the outlook for sales. One key finding is that retailers are an optimistic lot with 80% expecting sales to be higher this year that last year.

A former New York NFL star is bringing his unique sense of fashion to the men's department at JCPenney.

The retailer says it is teaming up with former N.Y. Giant and current ABC talk show host Michael Strahan (seen above with co-host Kelly Ripa) on the Collection by Michael Strahan, an exclusive brand of men's tailored clothing, dress shirts, neckwear and accessories now available in over 200 JCPenney stores and at jcpenney.com. 

Conn’s is selling off much of its consumer debt and appointing a new CEO as the specialty retailer looks reposition its business.

In a series of strategic moves designed to shore up its ailing consumer finance business and restore investor confidence, Conn’s has named Norman Miller as its new CEO, entered into an agreement to securitize $1.4 billion of retail installment contract receivables, and received board authorization to repurchase up to $75 million of securities, and termination of the stockholders’ rights plan.

On a day when his company reported its fifth straight quarter of sales declines, the CEO of Barnes & Noble sounded a positive note, telling the Wall Street Journal that the retailer is looking at a new store prototype.

Cincinnati -- The ax fell at Macy’s on Tuesday.

In the name of optimizing its omnichannel approach, Macy's said it plans to close between 35 and 40 namesake stores in early 2016 even as its moves ahead with expansion of its new off price format, Macy’s Backstage.

Phoenix -- PetSmart is making it faster for customers to get the goods they need to take care of their pets.

In partnership with Google Express, PetSmart is adding overnight service in Chicagoland and a five-state Midwest region (120-mile radius from Chicago) in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio, serving 25 million people.

The two firms have been serving the on-demand delivery needs of customers for nearly a year with same-day service in six cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and D.C.

Niwot, Colo. -- Footwear marketer Crocs is on the hunt for a new CFO.

The company announced that Jeff Lasher, senior VP and CFO, is leaving the company to join boating supplies and accessories retailer West Marine Inc.

Lasher, who joined Crocs in 2009, will remain with the company through early November. He plans to join West Marine as CFO in November.

Mike Smith, Crocs senior VP for finance, has been named interim CFO effective Oct. 1 and will work closely with Lasher during a transition period.

San Jose, Calif. – The nation’s largest online marketplace is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and it’s marking the occasion with a special shopping event — and a traveling Airstream trailer.

Indianapolis – With retailers like Amazon.com entering the online services market, online services network Angie’s List is tapping a veteran retail e-commerce executive to run the company.

Scott Durchslag, who served as president of e-commerce and global marketing at Best Buy from 2012-2014, has joined Angie’s List as president and CEO.

Recently an investment banking colleague from HT Capital Advisors mentioned to me that Bombfell, an online men’s clothing subscription service, received $1 million in venture capital funding. Under the business model, an online personal stylist personally selects each member’s items and sends them to the shopper, with free shipping. The shopper only pays for what he keeps (he has 10 days to decide) and then returns the rest, also with no shipping charge. On the heels of that chat, I read about MM.LaFleur, a similar model for women.