eCommerce

Dodgeville, Wisconsin — Lands' End reported that profit for the first quarter surged 68% to $10.9 million, from $6.5 million in the year-ago period, as shoppers have responded to improved merchandise assortments and targeted promotions.

The company, which was recently spun off by Sears, also reported a revenue rise of 4% to $330.5 million. Same-store sales climbed 3.4%.
 

When it comes to powerful retail CEOs, the names Dave Dillon at Kroger, Frank Blake at Home Depot, Craig Jelinek at Costco and Doug McMillon at Walmart come to mind. But they’ve got nothing on Greg Penner.

Washington, D.C. — Consumer spending rose 0.3% in May, marking four consecutive months of rising U.S. retail sales.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that May results were boosted by strength from the auto sector, which recorded a 1.4% sales increase during the month. U.S. retail sales rose 0.5% in April and 1.5% in March.

Bigcommerce, a commerce platform for growing and emerging brands, has named Tim Schulz as SVP of product management.

SAN FRANCISCO — Big Data personalization provider WibiData has launched WibiRetail, a new software platform designed for retailers to rapidly deploy algorithmically-driven personalized shopping experiences. WibiRetail provides intent-aware commerce applications that use in-the-moment data to determine whether a consumer is shopping for herself, a family member or a partner.

Seattle — Amazon.com has debuted a new feature for members of its Prime paid benefits program called Prime Music. The service provides ad-free access to more than one million songs and hundreds of expert-programmed Prime Playlists.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has secured four new retail leases on behalf of three lifestyle shopping centers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

In Algonquin, Ill., Pure Mountain Company has taken 8,824 sq. ft. at Algonquin Commons in Algonquin, Ill. Premier Commercial Realty represented the tenant. Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, Old Navy, PetSmart and Trader Joe’s anchor the 578,825-sq.-ft. Algonquin Commons lifestyle center.

Brisbane, California — bebe stores CEO Steve Birkhold has left the company, effectively immediately, and an interim chief has been named to lead while a search for a permanent replacement is underway, said bebe stores on Thursday.

Following the sudden departure of Birkhold, the board appointed Jim Wiggett, currently CEO of Jackson Hole Group, as bebe’s interim CEO.