eCommerce

Epicor Software Corporation, a business software developer, has entered into a partnership with CyberM Information Technology Limited to resell Epicor retail technology solutions and provide in-country implementation and support services within the Asia Pacific region. 

Under the terms of the agreement, CyberM will provide sales, services and support to assist local retailers and meet the globalization requirements of multinational retailers looking to expand into APAC.

DALLAS — Although J.C. Penney reported a wider-than-expected loss in the second quarter on a nearly 12% drop in revenue, small signs suggest that interim CEO Myron Ullman may be starting to turn things around.

The quarter was the first entirely under Ullman’s watch. Ullman returned to the retailer in April to undo the strategy put in place by Ron Johnson, who planned to transform J.C. Penney stores into a series of branded in-store shops.

MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy said it earned $266 million in the second quarter, compared with a profit of $12 million in the year-ago period, amid cost cuts. Its results beat Wall Street expectations.

Revenue for the quarter, ended Aug. 3, edged down to $9.3 billion, from $9.34 billion last year. Analysts expected $9.13 billion. Same-store sales fell 0.6%, including a 0.4% decline domestically. Online sales rose 10.5%.

The Valley Forge Shopping Center on West DeKalb Pike is adding Target to its tenant roster July 2014, making it the first Target store in the city of King of Prussia. 

The King of Prussia store will be approximately 165,000 sq. ft. and will include a selection of fresh produce, fresh packaged meat and pre-packaged baked goods, as well as a Starbucks, Target Optical and Target Pharmacy.

NEW YORK — Canadian shoppers aren’t wowed by Target Corp., according to a customer-satisfaction rating survey by Forum Research. As reported in The Globe and Mail, the survey ranked Target at the bottom of a list of major retailers operating in Canada. (Satisfaction as measured by the survey relates to service, prices and/or merchandise offering.)

Over all, Target scored a mean 2.7 out of 4, compared with Costco’s 3.5, Wal-Mart’s 3.1 and a 3.2 average.

I recently had the chance to observe and talk with some tweens and teens about their smartphone use. You guessed it: it’s first and foremost about communicating with their friends and, yes, even with parents and other family members. Shopping runs a good second. Anyone targeting this particular age group must think of communication as a “use case” for smartphones. 

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Wolverine Worldwide has appointed Jodi K. Watson as president of consumer direct, reporting to chairman, CEO and president Blake W. Krueger.  

In her new role, Watson will be responsible for direct-to-consumer operations for the company, including stores and e-commerce.

Watson was most recently the company’s VP of e-commerce, leading Wolverine's global digital strategy. She has served on its retail leadership team since joining the company in 2009.

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters’ second-quarter net income jumped to $76 million for the three months ended July 31, 2013.

Total company net sales for the second quarter increased 12% to a record $759 million. Same—store sales, including the company’s direct-to-consumer channel, increased 9%.

Comparable retail segment net sales increased 38% at Free People, 9% at Anthropologie and 5% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales rose 17%.