eCommerce

The nation’s largest U.S. apparel retailer is looking to streamline its model. Amid first quarter same-store sales declines across all its brands, Gap Inc. said it is identifying opportunities to streamline its business to be more efficient and flexible. The retailer also is evaluating its Banana Republic and Old Navy store fleets, mostly outside of North America, with an eye to sharpening its focus on geographies with the greatest potential.

Consumers looking to sell their unwanted treasures now have a new option thanks to a partnership between eBay Inc. and FedEx Office. The two companies are teaming up to offer eBay Valet drop-off locations at more than 1,600 FedEx Office stores nationwide over the coming months.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings has entered the Sunshine State, opening a store in Orlando, Florida. The new location represents the extreme discounter’s 208th store and 18th state of operation. In keeping with the company’s strategy of expanding into contiguous states and new markets, Ollie’s plans to open a total of six to nine stores in the state of Florida this year and 28-32 new stores overall across the eastern half of the United States in 2016.

Abercrombie & Fitch is expanding its presence in the Middle East. The retailer has entered into an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to open stores in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Since 2013, Abercrombie, in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion, has opened eight stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The likes of Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy have a new competitor to deal with—J.C. Penny. "The department store retailer on Monday announced a major expansion into home appliances, as well as two new tests in the home area, one involving Ashley Furniture, and the other national carpet and flooring company Empire Today.

Roche Bros. may only operate 19 local stores, but still thinks big when it comes to meeting customer demand wherever it exists. The Massachusettes-based chain has selected Unata to build an enhanced e-commerce and omnichannel shopping experience. The new e-commerce platform will be available at 18 of its Roche Bros. and Sudbury Farms stores, which will feature a home delivery option in eastern and central Massachusetts and a curbside pickup option at a growing number of locations.

A company that achieved global fame for its simple glazed doughnuts has been acquired by the owners of a growing coffee empire. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has agreed to be acquired by JAB Beech Inc., a unit of German investment firm JAB Holding Company, for about $1.35 billion. The deal, which would take Krispy Kreme private, is the most recent in a string of purchases by JAB Holdings, including its acquisition in late 2015 of single-serve coffee maker Keurig Green Mountain.

Traditional supermarket retailers are facing competition on all fronts, from online pure players, discount grocery chains and from the extreme-value general merchandise retailers (dollar stores). While dollar stores remain a niche segment, consumables are becoming a more important part of the sector, according to a report on forbes.com.