eCommerce

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Classrooms by Walmart is the name of a new social media initiative the retailer launched Tuesday to simplify back-to-school shopping for millions of moms who view the season as an opportunity for a fresh start.

Frank Rescigna is the new president of worldwide licensing at Guess? Inc.

In his new role Rescinga will report to Guess CEO and co-founder Paul Marciano. Rescinga previously served as president of Viva, a Guess eyewear licensee.

WAYNE, N.J.  — Toys"R"Us, Nickelodeon and Playmates Toys have a potential cash cow on their hands with the revamped "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series and corresponding line of action figures, vehicles, role play items and playsets. The series premieres Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with a one-hour special event. The toys, developed by Playmates, is available in stores and online.

Purchase, N.Y. -- June spending at small retailers increased 8% in 2012 compared to June 2011, higher than the overall U.S. retail growth rate of 6.9%, according to a new SpendingPulse report issued by MasterCard Advisors in partnership with Wells Fargo. The same report also found that sales growth at small retailers has now outperformed growth of overall retail sales for nine consecutive months, since October 2011.  

Chicago -- Amazon ranks as the coolest mobile or social affiliate program,  according to a survey conducted by EPiServer, a provider of multichannel digital marketing and e-commerce software. The  survey was conducted among CEOs, VPs, directors and e-commerce managers at more than 94 organizations including retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, catalogers, web-only merchants and local-retailers.

New York -- Foursquare announced the release of Local Updates, a new way for retailers to connect with loyal customers when they are nearby. The free tool will allow retailers to offer deals and specials to users in the area that have previously “Liked” or checked-in at their establishment.

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) posted its fourth consecutive increase in June, rising to 3.22 from a reading of 3.09 the previous month. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, is comprised of four components: tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — LeapFrog Enterprises has named Ray Arthur as CFO.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — For the second quarter, Mattel reported net income of $96.2 million, or 28 cents per share, compared with last year’s second quarter net income of $80.5 million, or 23 cents per share.

NEW YORK — Customers who want to explore digital reading, but aren't ready to commit to buying an e-reader can now do so through Barnes & Noble's new Nook for Web service. The service is free and customers need only a PC or Mac browser to access the content. No software download, sign-in or Nook account is required. According to the company, the service will be available this fall on Internet-enabled tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices.