eCommerce

Everyone wants to know how Walmart can compete with Amazon in e-commerce when the latter doesn't really make money at it. According to Ad Age, "The more Walmart does to differentiate itself from Amazon and offer a better value proposition, the more it will succeed," she said. "The more it focuses on price and value, the more it can compete." But it's a very long game. [Ad Age]

Photo: From left: Sarah Amundsen, Target Corp.; Lee Peterson, WD Partners; and Erin Tyler, Target Corp.

Ross Stores Inc. has hired away the chief merchant at Stein Mart to lead merchandising at DD's Discounts.

Ross Stores announced that Brian Morrow will join the company as president and CMO at DD's effective Dec. 7. Morrow will report directly to Barbara Rentler, the company's CEO, and be responsible for directing all aspects of merchandising at DD's Discounts.

Paster Properties, a developer and manager of retail projects in Minnesota, and Bader Development, a multi-family property developer and manager, have partnered to develop a six-story, 155,000-sq.-ft., mixed-use redevelopment project in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Now that its service has gained traction with retailers, on-demand delivery provider Instacart has created a new promotional platform for brands to connect with shoppers.

While Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market struggle to eke out sales growth and profit, Sprouts Farmers Market is quietly emerging as a perennial winner in the grocery sector.

Sprouts reported its third quarter results this week, and the company's financials exceeded company guidance and even Wall Street estimates.

The grocery chain reported results for the 13-week third quarter ended Sept. 27 that included:

• Net sales of $903.1 million, an 18% increase from the same period in 2014

HHgregg 's CEO says the company is on track to meet key financial objectives even though it posted negative same-store sales growth and a larger loss in the second quarter.

Signet Jewelers has hired its first ever chief strategy officer to lead the jewelry company's transformation and future growth.

The world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry announced that Uta Werner has joined the company as Signet chief strategy officer. Werner will be responsible for strategy development and execution and will be focused on the identification of growth opportunities, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions.