eCommerce

Toys “R” Us is preparing for the holiday season with plans to hire 45,000 employees to staff its stores and distribution centers nationwide. This number is basically flat from last year’s holiday staffing totals.

Sears Canada CEO Calvin McDonald has resigned from his position and the company’s board of directors to pursue an opportunity with an international company. Taking his place will be current EVP and chief operating officer Douglas C. Campbell. 

Campbell joined Sears Canada in March 2011 and was appointed EVP and chief operating officer Nov. 2012. He was responsible for retail store operations, logistics, replenishment, information technology, corporate procurement and international sourcing.  

David’s Bridal is turning to Manhattan Associates to bolster its omnichannel offerings and ensure on-time and accurate delivery of customer orders from across its network. The announcement comes on the heels of its extended exclusive relationship with the Men's Wearhouse. 

The amendment to the current contract with Men’s Wearhouse extends the partnership by five years with the option to extend for an additional five years.

In a digital arena where e-commerce businesses are vying for traffic, Virtual Piggy has continued expanding its footprint — 500,000 users have signed up for its family wallet solution. 

Dunnhumby, a leading customer science company, has launched Dunnhumby Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focusing on innovations in retail technology. 

Dunnhumby Ventures will serve as a support mechanism for innovators, helping to fund startup businesses that are embracing data for innovations along the consumer’s path to purchase. Dunnhumby Ventures will also provide strategic input and mentorship. Average initial investments will range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Kohl's is expanding its beauty offerings in cosmetics, skin care, bath and body, hair care, men’s skin care and fragrance, as competition within the beauty space continues heating up.

New York -- Shaky consumer confidence and increased efficiencies among retailers may put a damper on retailers’ holiday hiring plans, according to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In its annual holiday hiring forecast, Challenger estimated that seasonal job gains will not see a significant decline from last year’s robust numbers, but they are likely to at best match the level of hiring that occurred in October, November, and December 2012.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports has named Eric Hunter as executive VP of marketing, responsible for the company’s brand image and integrated marketing efforts. He most recently served as senior VP of marketing and acting chief marketing officer for J.C. Penney Co., where he led strategy, research, creative, media, customer relationship management and digital direction for the JCP enterprise brand and all JCP-owned brands.

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets announced that company president and CEO David J. Hepfinger has left the company to pursue other interests. Company vice chairman Jonathan H. Weis replaces him as interim CEO. Robert F. Weis remains as company chairman.

Hepfinger has also resigned from the company's board of directors. As part of the reorganization, Kurt Schertle, executive VP, sales and merchandising will report directly to Weis who will also oversee the company's real estate/store development, finance and human resources' teams.

Columbus, Ohio — Designer Show Warehouse will open a new store in Eatontown, N.J. on Sept. 26.

The company currently operates 383 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. DSW also supplies footwear to 355 leased locations in the U.S.