eCommerce

Miami -- Perry Ellis International announced that is has expanded its e-commerce reach and worldwide accessibility with the launch of international shipping on all its e-commerce sites, provided by FiftyOne Global Ecommerce.

Among the over 100 countries Perry Ellis now serves are Canada, Australia, Mexico, Japan and many others across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. reported that net earnings in the fourth quarter rose 78% to $14.9 from $8.4 million in the same quarter last year. The company also said it plans to open 80 stores in fiscal year 2013.

Net sales in the quarter ended February 2, 2013, rose 40.6% to $86.7 million, compared with net sales of $61.7 million during the same period in fiscal 2011. Same-stores sales in the quarter increased 9.2%, driven by increased transactions and strong growth in its clothing and jewelry categories.

Dayton, Ohio -- Walmart holds on to the top spot in the annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands from branding consultancy firm Interbrand. The discounter’s brand value is put at $141 billion (up 1% from the 2012 report.). By comparison, the second-highest ranked U.S. brand, Target Corp., has a value of $25 billion. The Home Depot is solid at number three, with a brand value of nearly $23 billion.

Boston -- City Sports announced that it will open its 22nd retail location in New York City, on March 26. It will be City Sports' third location in New York City.

The new store, in the city’s financial district, will be the company’s largest retail location to date, with nearly 11,000 sq. ft. of selling space devoted to athletic apparel, footwear and equipment.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be opening a third retail location in New York City," said City Sports president and CEO Edward Albertian.

SAN FRANCISCO — Janet Hayes, currently the president of Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen, will become president of the Williams-Sonoma brand, effective March 20. She replaces Richard Harvey, who will be leaving the company on May 3, 2013, after 30 years of service.

WABAN, Mass. — Sam's Club and Amazon were among the retailers that earned top marks for customer service, according to the consulting firm Temkin Group.

According to the 2013 Temkin Experience Rankings which queried 10,000 U.S. consumers about customer service issues across 246 companies in 19 industries, Sam's Club and Amazon earned the top spots in the retail sector and RadioShack was the lowest rated retailer for the third consecutive year.

NEW YORK — Online retailer NoMoreRack has announced its plans to expand their business and online presence. NoMoreRack has received $12 million in new capital. They plan to use this investment money to increase their workforce and expand into foreign markets.

DAYTON, Ohio — Interbrand, a consultancy, has named Walmart the most valuable retail brand for 2013. The retailer retained its top spot from 2012.

Rising through the ranks were Macy's, which increased brand value by 62% and moved up nine spots on the list to #40 and Amazon.com, which moved up to #4 on the list, growing brand value by 46%. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma reported that fourth-quarter EPS grew 15% to $1.34 and that quarterly revenue grew to $1.406 billion versus $1.268 billion in 2011 with comparable brand revenue growth of 4%.

Fiscal 2012 EPS grew 14% to $2.54. Net revenues for the year grew to $4.043 billion versus $3.721 billion in FY 11 with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.1%.

McLean, Va. -- Recreational Equipment said that it will open a new REI store in the Tysons area of McLean, Va.

The 32,800-sq.-ft., two-story store is slated to open in August 2013.

“Tysons is the ultimate shopping hub in Northern Virginia,” said Ray Dinterman, REI retail director for the Mid-Atlantic district. “Our new store will join five other local REI stores and help us better outfit nearly 200,000 active members who paddle the Potomac and hike the Appalachian Trail."