eCommerce

New Albany, Ohio – Efforts to change its merchandising and branding paid dividends at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported smaller net loss and revenue decline than expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million, from $890.6 million.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. on Wednesday released better-than-expected second quarter sales and earnings and also announced it was selling off its Boston Proper specialty women’s apparel business.

Earlier this year, the retailer launched a turnaround plan that includes closing some 120 stores through February 2017, cutting jobs and reducing spending.

Los Altos, Calif. -- A start-up from the former head of Google Shopping, Nitin Mangtani, aims to make the “buy button” on social media a reality for consumers.

The company, PredictSpring, has created a technology platform designed to drive mobile commerce by improving and simplifying the way consumers shop on mobile phones and to easily enable “buy” experiences on brand and social media apps. Businesses using the platform include Cole Haan, Eddie Bauer, Bluefly and Woodcraft.

New York -- Global mobile commerce is set to explode, according to Coupofy.com, a Seattle-based database of online coupon codes.  
The company predicts global mobile commerce will grow 42% annually between 2013 and 2016, compared to 13% for regular e-commerce. Mobile shoppers will spend an estimated $600 billion in 2018, up from $200 billion in 2014.

See more here.

New York -- Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York, has nabbed yet another online jewelry company looking to test brick-and-mortar.

Seattle – Mobile shopping has been getting attention for its rapid growth, and one major retailer is leading the way.

According to new data from online coupon database Coupofy.com, Amazon.com is the leading mobile commerce retailer, with 110% growth in 2014, earning revenues of $16.8 billion.

Amazon is followed by Apple ($14 billion), Chinese store Jingdong Mall ($5.8 billion), Google Play ($4.4 billion), and QVC ($1.86 billion).

Efforts to change its merchandising and branding are paying off for Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported a smaller profit and revenue loss than expected in the second quarter.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier. Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million from $890.6 million. Total company ame-store sales dropped 4%. Abercrombie same-store sales fell 7% and Hollister same-store sales fell 1%, below Wall Street’s expected rate of decline.

Express Inc. says improved marketing and merchandising measures led to strong profit and revenue performance in the second quarter.

Net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.

Net sales increased 11% to $535.58 million from $481.42 million. Same-store sales rose 7% and e-commerce sales grew 21%.

The Bon-Ton Stores is opening a new fulfillment center as the retailer looks to cut back on the amount of time it takes to deliver an online order.

The company announced the grand opening of its 743,000 square-foot state-of-the-art direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio. The facility, which began transitioning fulfillment operations in June, was designed with the customer in mind and supports the company’s expanding e-commerce business and aggressive omnichannel growth, the company says.

Macy's is looking to woo customers with an offer that no fashion-loving shopper can refuse: the use of a free personal stylist.

This month, Macy’s is expanding the personal shopping experience at stores with the launch of My Stylist@Macy’s, a free service at select Macy’s stores nationwide, dedicated to finding the perfect fashions for every customer from coast-to-coast. In addition to style consultations, the experts at My Stylist@Macy’s will guide shoppers in selecting the best gifts for friends and family, for all occasions.