eCommerce

New York -- A report suggests that U.S. consumers aren’t letting the summer doldrums or world unrest get in the way of shopping — although not all retailers are benefiting.

Retail sales rose 0.6% in July month, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Excluding sales of automobiles, sales were up 0.4%. Eleven of 13 major categories showed increases.

The Commerce Department also revised June's 0.3% decline in retail sales to an unchanged reading.

Nebraska-based sportings goods retailer Cabela’s has appointed the former CEO of Coors to its board.

The company announced that Peter S. Swinburn has been named to its board of directors.

Lane Bryant is taking a non-student approach to back-to-school marketing with its third annual Chalk it up to Style promotion.

Now through Aug. 31, teachers and supporting school staff who shop at Lane Bryant during Chalk it up to Style will enjoy saving 15% off their purchase when shopping in store with a valid school ID or paystub. 

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is losing less money than before and gaining new customers at a rapid pace.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Wednesday announced several key initiatives to drive its growth going forward, ranging from new store ventures to digital efforts to an international foray.

Boston -- Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is losing less money than before and gaining new customers at a rapid pace.

The retailer reported a loss of $19.3 million for the second quarter, ended June 30, down from a loss of $28 million, in the year-ago period.
 
Revenue increased to $491.8 million, up 66.4% year over year. Direct retail revenue, consisting of sales generated primarily through the sites of Wayfair’s five brands, increased to $440.3 million, up 80.8% year over year.

New York -- Things are not getting any better at the struggling and cash-poor American Apparel. In fact, it looks like they are getting worse.

In a short form quarterly filing, the retailer said its net loss increased to $19.4 million in the second quarter from $16.2 million in the year-ago period while net sales fell 17% to $134 million. It estimated that, as of June 30, it had only $7 million in cash and $6 million left in its Capital One credit line. (American Apparel’s full quarterly filing will be delayed.)

REI has grown to 140 stores in 33 states with a sizable e-commerce operation. Imagine what the company will be able to do now that it has finally named a chief information officer and gotten aggressive about recruiting technology talent.

The national outdoor specialty retailer elevated Julie Averill to the role of CIO after the 25 year technology veteran joined the company last year as senior vice president of information technology. She joined REI from Nordstrom where she served as the department store retailer’s vice president of technology.