eCommerce

By Shelley E. Kohan, VP, retail consulting, RetailNext; instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology

Consumer confidence is 10 points higher than this time last year. Spring weather forecasts show April will be warmer than average for many areas. So, how can retailers optimize sales during this season? Learning from last year’s data and trends is a great place to start.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples is letting the public help determine the top three winners of its “Make Your Idea Happen” contest, which allowed entrepreneurs to share their ideas for a chance to receive all the products they need to bring their business to life. The retailer received more than 16,000 entries online and via Facebook.

The contest was announced in early January, and entrants were asked to submit a 100 word or less overview of their idea. Staples narrowed the submissions down to 10 finalists.

New York -- Urban Outfitters will unveil a new concept, Space Ninety 8, on April 4, in the hip Willliamsburg section of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The five-level space is located in a renovated warehouse and has an industrial look, complete with exposed ceilings and brick walls. The basement will house a rotating series of pop-ups, while the first floor will showcase independent designers and vendors, according to the Village Voice. The first floor will also be home to a vintage shop, called Urban Renewal.

Online home goods retailer Tablesets.com said digital innovator Weihu Yan has made an investment in and joined the company as a strategic advisor.

Veteran retail operations executive Troy Rice has joined Office Depot as EVP of retail as the company continues to build out its senior leadership team in the wake of its merger with OfficeMax.

Rice spent the past eight years with Toys “R” Us, most recently serving as EVP fo stores and services. Prior that he spent 16 years with The Home Depot and served as president of the retailer’s $24 billion northern division at the time of his departure.

Ottawa, Canada -- Greg Soussloff has joined 360pi as VP of customer value. Soussloff brings 20 years of sales and sales management experience to this role.

Prior to joining 360pi, Greg was the U.S. senior director for retail and consumer goods for SAS’ Americas division, where he helped in securing enterprise agreements with retailers and consumer goods companies including Macy’s, eBay, Nike, Kellogg, Wal-Mart and Nestle. Soussloff will be located in Dallas, as part of 360pi’s U.S. presence.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has appointed Troy Rice as executive VP of retail, effective April 14. Rice, who replaces Juan Guerrero, will also serve as a member of Office Depot’s leadership team and report directly to chairman and CEO Roland Smith.
 

Oak Brook, Ill. — Inland Real Estate Corporation has announced the acquisition of Mokena Marketplace in Mokena, Ill., an affluent suburb located within the Chicago metropolitan area for $13.7 million in cash.