eCommerce

By Lynn Hinderaker, [email protected]

The future is knocking on the door of hedge fund manager and owner of Sears, Eddie Lampert. His decision to split off Lands’ End and Sears Auto Center from the core Sears brand would have been a good decision in 2004, one year after he purchased the deteriorating retail brand. Today, given the monumental shift in online purchasing behavior that has changed all of retailing, Lampert’s move is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Rue La La, a leading online lifestyle shopping destination, is rolling out a ‘goof proof gifting’ program just in time for the holiday shopping season.

New York -- In the first 10 months of 2013, e-commerce sales are up 17% from the same period last year, according to the Visa Spending Intentions survey. To-date in 2013, Visa domestic e-commerce transactions exceeded one billion dollars on 211 days, an increase of 19% from 2012.

In other findings:

Sears Canada announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Montez Income Properties Corp. to sell its 50% joint venture interest in eight properties it owns with The Westcliff Group of Companies for approximately $315 million.  

New York -- Sears Canada announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its 50% joint venture interest in eight properties it owns to Montez Income Properties Corp. for approximately $300 million (C$315 million). Sears’ joint venture partner in the properties is The Westcliff Group of Companies.

The company said it will sell its interests in four regional shopping centers, two strip centers and two open-air retail centers.

Brown Shoe Company-owned brand Sam Edelman is stepping into the digital arena. The footwear, accessory and soon-to-be apparel brand has launched a dedicated e-commerce site which will allow consumers to purchase online directly from the retailer for the first time.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group announced that Judith Langley has joined dressbarn as executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

Langley brings to Dressbarn extensive experience as a senior merchant and in product development. Most recently, she was executive VP and chief merchandising officer with Charming Charlie’s, a jewelry and accessories chain.

Previously, she was senior VP of design and trend at Kohl’s, where she oversaw product direction for 15 brands.

New York -- YCD Multimedia, a provider of smart digital signage solutions, announced that Silver Jeans Co. has installed YCD's content management system (YCD|CMS) as the engine behind a new in-store concept.

The new format uses music and video wall technology to build customer loyalty within a multi-sensory environment that captures attention and shares the Silver Jeans' story.  The concept debuted at The Woodlands Mall in Woodlands, Texas, is the first of several locations marking Silver Jeans’ transition to exclusive brick-and-mortar retail.