eCommerce

HSN is a shining example of a retailer that successfully reinvented itself to become a $3 billion interactive multichannel operator and in the process shattered perceptions about what a career in retail looks like.
 

London -- Disney U.K. is teaming up with Harrods to open a Cinderella-inspired "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique" at the world famous department store, marking the first time that a Disney Parks and Resorts concept has been recreated in the United Kingdom. The boutique will be the centerpiece of partnership between Disney and Harrods that also includes a dedicated Disney Store, which opened on Nov. 1. .

Swansea, Ill. -- CrowdSource, a leading provider of managed crowdsourcing solutions, announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Servio, a competitor in the enterprise crowdsourcing industry. The acquisition will strengthen CrowdSource’s client portfolio, expand its workforce and augment its current service offerings.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s recently launched a new and improved mobile website for customers using handheld devices or smartphones. The new site gives customers a seamless mobile shopping experience offering the same information and services as Cabelas.com.

By Stephen Springham, senior retail analyst at Planet Retail

Three quarters of results and a hat-trick of disappointments — Walmart U.S. again failed to achieve its guidance of flat comps in Q3, reporting a decline of 0.3%. This was not entirely unexpected as an already fragile consumer environment has not been helped by the government shutdown.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 on Thursday celebrated the opening of its 1,000th store. Located in the Enid Crossing Shopping Center in Enid, Okla., the location is one of the company's new rueGuy format stores and features an expanded assortment of young men's apparel and accessories in addition to the girls' apparel, jewelry, footwear and beauty product.

Chicago – Online retailers are divided about the impact of the proposed Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA) legislation, largely based on company size. According to a new McGladley LLP survey of decision-makers at small and mid-sized online retailers, 38% of small and mid-sized online retailers with revenues between $10 million and $1 billion project that the MFA would have a negative impact on their profitability.

Little Rock, Ark. – Dillard’s reported moderate growth in net income and sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Compared to the same period a year earlier, net income increased 5% to $50.9 million from $48.5 million, while net sales climbed about 1% to $1.51 billion from $1.49 billion.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday posted a 2.8% increase in its third-quarter profit. But the chain cut its annual outlook for the second time in three months as its core shoppers continue to feel economic pressures.

"The retail environment, both in stores and online, remains competitive," In a pre-recorded conference call, Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, said the retail environment, both online and in stores, remains competitive.

Cincinnati — Saks Fifth Avenue has signed a letter of intent to relocate its downtown Cincinnati store to The Kenwood Collection, which Phillips Edison & Co. is transforming from a regional destination to a super-regional destination that will draw shoppers from three states.

According to the letter of intent, Saks will lease 80,000 sq. ft. of retail space over two levels of a building that fronts I-71. Plans call for the store to open in the spring of 2016.