eCommerce

DSW Inc. says it plans to open as many as 35 new stores this year after reporting that its profits shot up 10% in the fourth quarter.

The specialty footwear retailer reported net income of $30.8 million, up 10% from $28.1 million the same quarter a year earlier. Cost of sales grew at a slower pace than actual sales, helping boost profits.

Maine-based L.L. Bean Inc. intends to almost triple its store count by 2020, according to a company memo distributed to employees this month.

Hangzhou, China – Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba Holding Group Inc. wants to change the face of payment. In public comments made at the CeBit technology conference in Hannover, Germany, on March 15, Alibaba chairman Jack Ma said his company’s subsidiary Ant Financial is developing a service called “Smile to Pay” that would let consumers pay for purchases with a facial scan.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway Inc. is reportedly selling three shopping center it owns in Hawaii. According to Pacific Business News, Carlsbad, California-based Terramar Retail Centers is paying about $156 million for the centers.

Two of the centers are anchored by a Safeway – the 23-acre Hokulei Village in Lihue on Kauai for $52.25 million, and the 12-acre Lahaina Cannery Shops on Maui for about $60.3 million. Terramar is also paying $43.4 million for the 24.5-acre Target-anchored Puunene Shopping Center on Maui.

Boston – Omnichannel beer/wine/liquor delivery service Drizly is relaunching its mobile app, website and branding. New features of the site and app include ratings, reviews and rich media content; storable “favorite” orders and address books; smart searches that deliver results as users type; and the ability to share Drizly with friends and send gifts.

Drizly’s new digital interface also enables immersive brand experiences with alcohol products; rich content placements; and sponsored listings.

New York – Barnes & Noble Inc. is launching the #NookReadingStyle sweepstakes, designed to inspire book lovers to share their reading style on their Facebook pages and other social media channels. From March 16-31, participants can enter for a chance to win prizes including Nook e-readers and Barnes & Noble gift cards by completing the sweepstakes entry form on the Nook Facebook page.

Just in time for spring’s college basketball showdown, Hhgregg is offering a winning deal to customers who shop in-store or online.

The retailer is offering zero down and no-interest financing until January 2018 on qualifying purchases from now until March 28.

Waban, Mass. - PetSmart and Amazon.com deliver the best customer experience in the retail industry. According to the 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual ranking of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers, PetSmart and Amazon.com tied for the top spot, each scoring 82%, which put them both in fourth place overall out of 293 companies across 20 industries.

Walgreens came in a close third with a rating of 81% and a ranking of eighth, while Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe's, and Costco all earned 79% and tied for 19th place overall.