eCommerce

San Jose, Calif. - For the month of June, soccer-related searches across the U.S. sites of eight international sporting goods and apparel retailers increased by 280%, compared to May. According to analysis from SLI Systems, there were more than 2.2 million U.S. soccer-related product searches from these eight e-commerce sites alone, with a corresponding boost in online shopping behavior during June for products including soccer cleats, balls, shin guards, gloves and other equipment.

Hong Kong - Michael Kors has named Mark Brashear to the newly created role of president of men’s. Brashear was most recently at Hugo Boss, where he held the position of CEO and chairman, Americas. Prior to his five-year tenure at Hugo Boss, Brashear was president of Faconnable from 2001 to 2008 and executive VP, Southwest Unit, at Nordstrom, where he worked from 1993 to 2001.

Warby Parker, the hip online eyewear retailer, has opened its sixth retail location, a 1,050-sq.-ft. store in Dallas.  

New York - Imports to the U.S. were steady in May 2014 from the previous month, though there was a measurable year-over-year increase. Data from supply chain research firm Panjiva shows that May 2014 showed levels of imports 4% above imports in May 2013.

Leading beauty and grooming e-commerce company Birchbox is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar store in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.

The store will feature a curated product assortment that includes 2,000 products from 250 brands including Smashbox, Caudalie, Jouer, Supergoop!, Cynthia Rowley, Baxter of California, Lab Series and Art of Shaving. Testers of every product in the store will be available.

Orlando, Fla. -- Nordstrom announced plans to shutter its store in the Florida Mall Orlando, Florida. Originally opened in 2002, the store will close its doors on August 16, 2014.

Sears Holdings’ Shop Your Way membership program and social shopping community has expanded its rewards program with the addition of more than 50 brand-name partners, which means members will be able to earn rewards through more places than ever.

"Members are already shopping for many of these products and services and now they can be rewarded for it," said Eric Jaffe, SVP of Shop Your Way. "Our goal is to make it easy to earn rewards wherever you shop, and our growing partner network shows we are poised to deliver."

San Diego - Also Known As Codes (AKA Codes) has rolled out its new website featuring unique coupon codes and online deals for men's and women's shoes, appliances and home furnishings. The website's staff also searches the Internet for sales and promotions.

AKA Codes is connected with various online retailers and operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Thus already discounted prices can further be reduced with one of the website's coupon codes.