eCommerce

Salmon Arm, British Columbia – Affiliate health-and-wellness retailer Salkam Online Solutions LLC is opening a new online store at YouNeedIt.biz. The site offers products including health and wellness books, exercise machines, weights, footwear, in-home training items and vitamins and supplements. YouNeedIt.com recommends products from partner retailers and does not maintain its own inventory.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores names Brad Rogers as senior VP real estate. He replaces Keith Gehl, who retires from the company at the end of June.
   
Rogers joined Family Dollar in 1998 as a real estate manager with responsibility for new store development in North and South Carolina. Between 2006 and 2011, Rogers assumed greater roles with increased responsibilities, and in 2011, he was named VP real estate.

New York -- Amazon.com confirmed it is testing its online grocery delivery service in Los Angeles.

The online retail giant has been testing the service called Amazonfresh, in Seattle for several years. It confirmed Monday that it is now offering the service in Los Angeles, also on a trial basis. Reuters recently reported that the online retail giant will next target the San Francisco area.

Washington, D.C. -- Americans will spend a little bit more on dad this year, stretching their budgets enough to show their favorite man just how much he is appreciated, according to a survey by the National Retail Foundation.

The group, 2013 Father’s Day spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, found that the average consumer will shell out $119.84 on dad’s gifts this year, up from $117.14 last year. Total spending for Father’s Day is expected to reach $13.3 billion.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced a $15 billion share buyback program at its annual shareholder meeting on Friday. It also said it expects to generate $10 billion in global e-commerce sales by the end of the fiscal year.

The new buyback program replaces the previous $15 billion plan, which had about $712 million remaining under the 2011 authorization.  

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. on Thursday took the wraps off its highly anticipated home department in more than 500 stores nationwide. The new department is made up of a collection of branded in-store shops, including Michael Graves Design, MarthaCelebrations, Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler, and Design by Conran. Each brand is presented in a boutique-like setting, with its own distinct look. The spaces range from about 300 sq. ft. to about 800 sq. ft. each.

New York -- Isaac Mizrahi has returned to the retail scene. Xcel Brands on Friday announced the debut of Isaac Mizrahi New York, in Southampton, N.Y. (Xcel is the designer’s parent company).

"This is a very exciting opportunity for Xcel and the brand,” said Isaac Mizrahi, creative director, Xcel Brands. “It's great for the consumer to see all products coming together in our own new retail environment."

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. reported  a 27% drop in first-quarter earnings amid a cool spring throughout much of the country and rising costs.  But the company, a spinoff from Sears Holdings Corp., pointed to improving signs in late spring.

Sears Hometown earned $15 million in the quarter that ended May 4, compared with $20.6 million in the year ago period.

Revenue dropped 3% to $601.1 million. Same-store sales fell 5%.