eCommerce

Jacksonville, Fla. – Earnings dipped at Stein Mart Inc. during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, even as net sales improved. Net income fell 3% to $13.6 million from $14.1 million a year earlier, with higher loan interest expense a major contributor.

Net sales increased 7% to $353.5 million, from $328.9 million. Same-store sales rose 4.8%. Higher store traffic and e-commerce sales boosted same-store sales results.

Seattle - Amazon.com is offering one-hour delivery of products from select local stores in Manhattan through its Prime Now service. In Manhattan, customers can now purchase groceries, prepared meals and baked goods from D’Agostino, Gourmet Garage and Billy’s Bakery through the Prime Now app.

Mississauga, Canada – Ikea plans to open a 397,000-sq.-ft. distribution center in Mississauga Ontario in October. The new facility will fulfil customer orders from the four existing Toronto-area stores and e-commerce purchases, as well as support growth plans for Ikea Canada to meet customers in new and existing markets.

The location will bring Ikea closer to the customer, which the retailer hopes will allow for an improved logistical setup enabling an increased range offer and shorter lead-times while contributing to sustainability goals.

Bon-Ton Stores Inc. cited growth in the e-commerce channel as among the reasons for the company's slight increase in same store sales in the first quarter.

Tampa, Fla. -- Ashley Furniture Industries announced that it is establishing, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ashcomm LLC, its U.S. e-commerce headquarters in Ybor City.

The headquarters office will occupy 70,000 sq. ft. of space in Centro Ybor in the heart of Tampa’s historic business and entertainment district. It will eventually house more than 100 employees in executive, administrative, marketing, design, and information technology positions for both the e-commerce business as well as other Ashley corporate operations.
 

L Brands is showing that it continues to be a bright spot in a volatile specialty retail environment with its latest quarterly results.

The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $3.50 to $3.70 a share, from its previous forecast for $3.45 to $3.65. The retailer reported profit of $250.5 million, or 84 cents a share, in the three months ended May 2, up from $157 million, or 53 cents a share, in the prior year period. Sales rose 5% to $2.5 billion.

York, Pa. – Net loss at The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. widened to $34.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $31.5 million in the same quarter the prior year. Increased cost of sales and depreciation and amortization helped increase net loss.

Total sales inched up to $610.9 million from $607.5 million, while same-store sales increased 0.8%. E-commerce sales increased at a double-digit rate due to a higher conversion rate.

A legal veteran of Abercrombie & Fitch and Harvard Law grad has been named general counsel for Big Lots.

Ronald "Rocky" Robins Jr. becomes SVP general counsel and corporate secretary at Big Lots. Robins will be a member of the executive leadership team of the company and report directly to David Campisi, CEO and president.