eCommerce

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data announced its retail services business has signed a multi-year agreement to provide private label credit card services for multichannel computer and electronics retailer TigerDirect, a subsidiary of Systemax, Inc.   

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported that its first-quarter profit was $169.9 million, down from $187.1 million in the year-ago period, hurt by a stronger dollar and weak same-store  sales in North America and Europe. Its results missed Wall Street forecasts.

Total sales fell 3.5% to $5.81 billion, also falling short of estimates. In North America, same-store sales were down 2% on weak demand for computers, software and technology accessories.

New York -- Sears Canada reported a net loss in its first quarter of C$31.2 million ($30.3 million) compared with a net profit of C$93.1 million, a year earlier amid weakened demand for major appliances and home products.

Revenue fell more than 6% to C$867.1 million. Same-store sales fell 2.6%.

The company also named E.J. Bird as CFO. Bird was appointed interim CFO in March, two months after Sharon Driscoll resigned from the post.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported a 26% drop in its first-quarter profit as unseasonably cool weather, the payroll tax increase and other economic pressures took a toll on sales.

Target earned $498 million the three months ended May 4, down from $697 million in the year-ago period. Sales rose 1% to $16.71 billion.

Same-store sales fell 0.6%. The number of transactions fell 1.9%.

“One of the strange ironies of the 2013 convention is that — despite more bookings, a sold-out convention and more activity than we’ve seen in years — the convention doesn’t feel as busy as it has in years past. I suspect this is largely because three of the biggest names in the industry, Macerich, Simon, and Westfield, don’t have booths at the convention center this year. Make no mistake, they are still here in Vegas — they have just moved over to Caesar’s Palace.

Columbus, Ohio – Footwear/accessories retailer DSW Inc. opened a new store in Braintree, Mass., on May 18. The new store is located at 250 Granite Street.

DSW currently operates 377 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Pittsburgh – Although Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a year-over-year increase in revenues for first quarter 2013, performance still fell short of Wall Street expectations. The sporting goods retailer reported first quarter revenues of $1.33 billion, a 4% increase from $1.28 billion. However, analysts expected revenues for the quarter to total $1.36 billion.

Net income grew 13%, from $57.2 million to $64.8 million.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is testing a video streaming service with internal employees. Called Target Ticket beta, the service features 15,000 movies and TV shows for digital download.

The service, which is password-protected, presumably is designed to compete with Netflix and Hulu, among other digital video platforms.