eCommerce

New York – Saks Fifth Avenue is reportedly planning to both increase the amount of high-end luxury goods it sells and also increase the number of Saks Off 5th outlet stores it operates. According to the Wall Street Journal, Richard Baker, CEO of Canadian department store chain (and new Saks owner) Hudson’s Bay Company wants to overhaul Saks stores by selling more items such as $48,000 Louis Vuitton crocodile handbags.

Tuesday Morning is starting to see the results of its turnaround strategy, which involved the company exiting a number of non-core categories, such as women’s apparel and footwear.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, comparable sales in ongoing core categories increased 7% and were led by exceptional strength in furniture, up 57%; sheets and linens, up 23%; and home décor, up 20%.   

Pet360, a leading network of digital resources for pet owners, has appointed Jon Roska as VP of strategic partner development.

In this role, Roska will oversee the development and execution of strategic programs that help brands connect with pet owners in new ways. Roska founded the company's longest-standing Web property — PetFoodDirect.com — in 1997 and most recently served as Pet360's VP of merchandising.

Boston – Wayfair reported $915 million in revenue to close the year 2013, with an annual revenue growth rate of 55% and order intake exceeding $1 billion. The company said its portfolio of home brands experienced steady growth throughout 2013 capped off by strong holiday sales in the fourth quarter.

Lakewood, Colo. -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. had a strong first quarter of fiscal 2014, reporting increases in both net income and net sales. Net income rose 31.6% to $2.9 million from about $2.2 million and net sales grew 25.8% to $120.6 million from $95.8 million.

A $14.6 million increase in sales from new stores and a 10.6%, increase in same-store sales drove Natural Grocers’ net sales growth. Looking ahead, the company plans to open a total 15 stores in fiscal year 2014 and expects to remodel two existing stores.

In a study of the returns and refunds performance of the 25 largest online retailers, StellaService found that the majority of retailers evaluated aren’t meeting consumer expectations.

StellaService analysts ordered the same product from each retailer to be delivered to the three separate regions of East, West and Midwest. They then returned the product, tracking metrics such as the presence of a prepaid, adhesive return label, total time to receive a return authorization and refund speed. The average refund speed of was 10.7 days.

Anna’s Linens has elevated company president Scott Gladstone to CEO. The home furnishings and home décor retailer was founded by Alan Gladstone, and now has more than 300 stores throughout 19 states.

“Scott has spent the last eight years at Anna’s bringing innovation and business improvements to many different areas of the company. I am proud of what we have done together and have absolute confidence that he is the person who can lead us in writing the next chapter of Anna’s history,” said Alan Gladstone.

As part of its digital strategy, Hudson’s Bay Company has created HBC Digital and appointed Michael Burgess as the newly created group’s president. Burgess will report to the office of the chairman.

HBC Digital will drive the digital commerce and marketing strategy and execution across all channels, in partnership with each of the company’s business units: Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and HBC Outlets.