eCommerce

New York - U.S. retail sales fell 0.4% in March, the biggest decrease in nine months, amid a slowdown in hiring and higher taxes. Excluding sales of autos, gas and building materials, core sales dropped 0.2% in March, following a 0.3% increase in January.

Walmart has teamed with Rogers Media to create a new print and digital property called Walmart Live Better that will be distributed for free in Canada.

One million copies of the magazine hit the market this week and the content is also available in a variety of digital formats.

NEW YORK — Banana Republic has teamed up with designer Issa London to launch the Banana Republic Issa London Collection – a limited-edition capsule inspired by the safari roots of Banana Republic's heritage and the spirit of an exotic journey. The capsule collection launches exclusively at select Banana Republic retail locations worldwide and online Aug. 6.

NEW YORK — JCPenney is turning to Blackstone Group to help raise cash and better position itself financially, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The company is reportedly seeking $1 billion in cash, according to the Wall Street Journal, which added that options could include selling a minority stake. Penney already has been in contact with several private equity firms about a potential investment, according to the report.  

INDIANAPOLIS — Frigidaire and Hhgregg are encouraging customers to get more organized through a special sweepstakes offering daily prizes and Frigidaire’s french door refrigerators through April 27.

Throughout the sweepstakes a $100 gift card will be awarded daily. Frigidaire french door refrigerators in 28 cu. ft. and 27 cu. ft. sizes will be awarded to the grand prize and first and second prize winners, respectively.

New York -- New York State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Oing on Thursday refused to dismiss Macy's Inc's claim that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia violated its contract when it designed certain merchandise for J.C. Penney Co., regardless of whether the items carry the Martha Stewart brand.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1's fourth-quarter earnings fell 46% compared with last year, when the chain recorded a large, one-time tax benefit.

The company earned $61.7 million in the three months that ended March 2, compared with $115.2 million in last year's quarter. Revenue rose 16% to $551.6 million. Same-store sales climbed 7.9%.

For the full year, Pier 1 earned $129.4 million on $1.7 billion in revenue.

For its current fiscal year, the chain expects to open 30 stores.

AUSTIN, Texas — Digital coupon site, RetailMeNot.com, is launching an updated version of its free RetailMeNot Coupons app for iPhone that includes the ability for consumers to search for and find digital coupons for nearby retailers located in 500 shopping malls. The app also enables users to request that additional shopping areas be geo-fenced by RetailMeNot.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's profits grew in fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 amid stronger front-end sales and prescription count, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA — Destination Maternity its total sales for the second quarter fell 2.1% to $134.9 million from $137.8 million. The company attributed the drop to the closure of all of its remaining leased departments within Babies “R” Us stores in October, along with the closures of underperforming stores.

Despite the sales drop, Destination Maternity said it now expects its second-quarter profit to fall in the top half of its previously projected range of 38 cents to 44 cents per share, crediting tight management of its expenses.