eCommerce

Talk about planning ahead. Target has announced a new collaboration with designer Peter Pilotto that won’t hit stores or the Internet until February 2014.

New York – Cloud-based e-commerce, mobile apps and mobile wallets are among the most important IT trends affecting retailers as they enter the 2013 holiday shopping season.

Verizon Communications, Inc. has compiled a list of the biggest IT trends for this year’s holiday season. Following are highlights:

London -- Four-in-10 (40%) of customers age 18-34 have taken a mobile photo of an in-store product so they could purchase it online when they got home.

Other data from a new study conducted by digital advertising technology provider WeSee indicates that 45% of adult consumers younger than 35 would like the ability to take a photo of a product with a mobile device and then directly link from that photo to a site where they can purchase the product. WeSee research also indicates that:

Online fashion subscription retailer JustFab’s first retail store brings to life the brand’s sophisticated but inviting personality and stylish attitude. The 3,000-sq.-ft. space, in the Glendale Galleria, Glendale, Calif., was designed to mirror the brand's online shopping experience, with cohesive, trend-driven collections showcased against sleek white surfaces.

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales increased in the month of August but came in at a much slower pace than anticipated.

According to the National Retail Federation, August retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted from last month, and increased 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year.

Boston — A group of private equity companies, including Advent International and CDIB Capital, have joined together to acquire a significant equity position in International Coffee & Tea, which owns and operates stores under The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf banner, with an eye on expanding in Asia. Other investors participating in the transaction include Mirae Asset Private Equity and the Sassoon family (the latter is the largest existing shareholder of The Coffee Bean, and is remaining as a substantial shareholder).

Vancouver, B.C. – Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported a slight drop in net income during second quarter 2013.

Net income dipped about 1% to $56.45 million, from $57.7 million.

Net revenue grew 22% to $344.5 million from $282.6 million, and same-store sales increased 8%.

Toronto – Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) reported net earnings of $3.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to a net loss of $2 million in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year.

In addition, HBC reported consolidated sales of $947.7 million, up 3.9% from $911.9 million. The retailer credited consolidated same-store sales growth of 3.5% and e-commerce sales growth of 56.1% to $37.3 million as helping to drive its healthy overall performance.

Washington, D.C. - The American people overwhelmingly oppose new legislation that lets states force tax collection obligations on Internet purchases made from businesses outside their borders.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. will open a new store in El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 20.

The El Paso location at The Fountains of Farah will be the retailer's 20th store in the state of Texas and its 532nd nationwide. The new store will feature more than 40 in-store services performed by Dick’s certified pros.