eCommerce

Ottawa, Ontario -- Black Friday deep discounts could be a myth, with only a few retailers dropping prices on only a few categories. Some key findings from pricing intelligence technology provider 360pi based on Amazon's own assortment in eight categories, including TVs, video games, tablets and digital cameras, show that:

Hampstead, Md. – Jos. A. Bank slightly increased its net income to $13.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 from $13.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The retailer also saw its net sales grow about 6% to $247.5 million, from $232.8 million.

Same-store sales declined 0.1%, although direct marketing sales increased 23.5% and combined same-store and online sales increased 2.4%. Jos. A. Bank incurred $1.2 million of legal and professional expenses in connection with the company's bid to acquire The Men's Wearhouse.

Jos. A. Bank slightly increased its net income to $13.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 from $13.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The retailer also saw its net sales grow about 6% to $247.5 million, from $232.8 million.

Same-store sales declined 0.1%, although direct marketing sales increased 23.5% and combined same-store and online sales increased 2.4%. Jos. A. Bank incurred $1.2 million of legal and professional expenses in connection with the company's bid to acquire The Men's Wearhouse.

New York — RKF has opened an office in Toronto and named Steven Alikakos president, Canada. RKF’s Canadian expansion comes just weeks after the firm formalized an affiliation with the U.K.-based retail consulting firm CWM Retail Property Advisors.

A growing number of American retailers have launched stores north of the border in recent years, a trend expected to continue. Likewise, the U.S. has seen a wave of expansions from Canadian retailers. RKF hopes to play a role in sustaining and accelerating cross-border retail migration.

Walmart International president and CEO Doug McMillon isn’t due to replace current Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Mike Duke until February, but when he does the most pressing matter on a long list of priorities will be executing the company’s digital vision.

New York -- J. Crew Group Inc.'s third-quarter earnings rose 6.8% on improved sales.

For the period ended Nov. 2, J. Crew reported a profit of $35.4 million, up from $33.2 million, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 11% to $618.8 million. Same-store sales role 5%.

Retail store sales grew 7.3% to $420.2 million, while direct sales climbed 21% to $189.8 million.

New York -- Sales at U.S. chain stores were up 2.1% in November, or 3% without the effects of gasoline sales, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. The group had predicted an increase of 3.5% to 4.5%.

“Sales were constrained by weak apparel sales this month,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist, ICSC. “November was a very competitive environment for retailers, and the softness in the November tally suggests some cautiousness by consumers.”

Cincinnati -- Macy’s announced an agreement for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores to anchor the new Mall at Miami Worldcenter, to be built in downtown Miami. Current plans call for the stores to open in fall 2016.

Miami Worldcenter, a major mixed-use project with retail, hotel, residential and convention space, is being planned by The Forbes Company and Taubman Centers.