eCommerce

While House Black Market is taking an innovative approach to attracting more customers by launching an online wedding and event boutique.

The online boutique hopes to take the guesswork out of shopping for an event outfit by selling specific dresses along with coordinated belts, shoes, and accessories, making it super easy for shoppers to put together a cohesive look for that big wedding or gala.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores announced that Keith E. Plowman, executive VP and CFO plans to retire in August. His departure will be followed by an 18-month consulting stint.

The retailer will undertake a national search to find a CFO to succeed Plowman.

The chief executive of Barnes & Noble Inc.’s retail group will retire May 2.

Mitchell Klipper, will continue to work with the company as a special adviser on real estate and other matters, Barnes & Noble said. The company said it has begun to search for a new retail CEO, and Klipper will help in the process.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Simon will be making significant design enhancements to its iconic Woodfield Mall, located in Schaumburg, Illinois, and featuring nearly 300 retail, dining and entertainment options. The transformation starts in January, with a renovation of the Grand Court and followed by a variety of design and comfort upgrades.

Sportsman’s Warehouse will honor those serving in the U.S. military and public safety occupations with a special promotion.

On Military and Public Safety Appreciation Day, Jan. 24, 2015, the stores will offer discounts of up to 20%. Firearms, ammunition, optics and electronics will be offered with a 10% discount.

The obituary for the printed retail catalog might have been a bit premature, if J.C. Penney is correct.

The retailer is reportedly bringing back its big glossy paper catalog after new evidence surfaced suggesting that print catalogs drive sales, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Toronto – Sears Canada is reaching out to Target’s Canadian employees. The retailer is encouraging the 17,600 workers who will likely lose their jobs when Target exits the Canadian market later this year to apply for jobs online.

Sears Canada also plans to host job fairs for soon-to-be-laid-off Target employees across Canada, and will host a meet-and-greet for Target Canada head office employees with senior executives and HR experts at its corporate headquarters on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Michaels Companies Inc. had plenty to smile about during the 2014 holiday season -- its first holiday season since going public in June.

Net sales for the eleven-week period from Nov. 2 to Jan. 17 increased 3.5% and same-store sales increased 1.5% from the comparable prior year period. For the full fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, net sales are expected to be in the range of about $1.59 billion to $1.6 billion, with an expected increase in same-store sales ranging from 0.8% to 1.2%. Michaels expects operating income to be $286 million to $291 million.