eCommerce

New Orleans -- New Orleans has rolled out the red carpet in order to assure the first Costco location in the state.

The city council on Thursday unanimously approved nearly $6 million in financial incentives for a planned Costco in the New Orleans suburb of Carrollton.  
 
The $45 million, 148,000-sq.-ft. Costco marks the warehouse club operator’s state debut, to reportedly be followed by a second in the capital city of Baton Rouge.

The New Orleans store is slated to open late summer 2013.
 

SIDNEY, Neb. — Revenues rose 11.6% to $627.3 million at Cabela's during its second quarter, consisting of a 16.9% increase in store revenue, a 0.7% decrease in direct revenue and a 12.8% increase in financial services revenue. Same-store sales rose 4.7%.

Net income for the quarterr increased to $33.9 million compared with $21.7 million and earnings per diluted share were 47 cents compared with 31 cents, each compared with the year ago quarter.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Comparable-store sales were flat at RadioShack for the second quarter, as the company is still waiting for new strategic initiatives to pay off. The one bright spot is the mobile category, which had a 3.3% comps increase at U.S. RadioShack company-operated stores. Total net sales and operating revenue of $953.2 million, an increase of 1.2% versus last year.

Net loss for the quarter was $21 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $24.9 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, last year.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has hired a long-time retail marketing executive, with extensive experience in the beauty and apparel sectors, to help develop the Shopko brand as it moves forward with the conversion of its newly acquired Pamida stores to the Shopko Hometown format.

Assessing the strength of the American consumer has become something of a national past time, especially during an election year. And as conflicting data points paint a picture of a lumpy economic recovery both presidential candidates can find something in retailers’ sales results that lend credence to their arguments.

San Diego -- Research released Thursday by Transaction Wireless and Aberdeen Group, which examined the benefits of mobile and digital gifting and emerging trends in mobile and social frontiers, found a shift toward digital gifting.

In fact, online gift cards have risen to prominence in the past few years and are now used by nearly a third (28%) of retailers. More than half – 61% – plan to use mobile gift cards, and 43% of customers prefer to use the mobile medium for gift cards.

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended June 30 nearly doubled to $66.7 million, compared with $36 million for second quarter 2011.

Consolidated revenue increased 19.4% to $619.1 million, and same-store sales increased 12.9% in domestic company-owned stores, representing the company's 28th consecutive quarter of positive same store sales growth. 
 

Melville, N.Y. -- Commercial real estate consulting, advisory and investment group A&G Realty Partners announced that Peter Lynch and Andrew Margolick have joined the firm as partners.

Lynch joins A&G from DJM Realty, where he was a principal and senior managing director, and Margolick was president of his own firm, ARM Consulting, as well as a former VP at Hilco Real Estate.

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has arranged the American debut of Caramel Baby & Child at 1244 Madison Avenue, between 89th and 90th Streets. 

The luxury label, which currently has stores in London and Tokyo, specializes in clothing for babies through toddlers. The newest location is on a corridor that is regarded as a center for luxury children's clothing, and home to such neighbors as Armani Jr., Jacadi, Baby Cottons, J. Crew Cuts, Pink Chicken, Brooks Brothers Children and Rachel Riley.
 

Puyallup, Wash. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that Torrid, Aveda, Burger Bliss and Mr. Jalapeno will open at South Hill Mall – in Puyallup, Wash. – between now and October 2012.

Torrid will open on Aug. 8 in a 2,600-sq.-ft. space, Aveda will open in 875 sq. ft. in October, and Burger Bliss and Mr. Jalapeno will open in the mall’s Food Court.

The 1 million-sq.-ft. mall is anchored by Target, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sears and Regal Cinemas.