eCommerce

We are all susceptible to media hype, and to established narratives, so it’s easy to miss important details in the growing chaos and chatter that surrounds Black Friday each year. We see big crowds and big bargains and a holiday shopping event that used to be a day now morphing into a brick-and-mortar and online extravaganza that lasts more than a week. That said, we should be asking what is really going on behind the scenes — and behind the numbers — and what does that mean for retailers for the rest of the holiday shopping season?

Charleston, S.C. -- After a successful extended Black Friday and another week in the stores, a healthy proportion of holiday shoppers are well on their way to being finished with their gift buying, according to the America’s Research Group and Inmar Holiday Shopping Survey.

Burlington, N.J. – Burlington Coat Factory shrunk its net loss to $7.4 million from $16.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to the same period a year earlier.

The retailer also increased net sales 10% to $1.06 billion, from $967.9 million.

Burlington said the net sales increase was primarily attributable to a $53.2 million increase in sales related to new stores and stores previously opened that are not included in same-store sales, and a $37 million, or 3.9%, increase in same-store sales.

Seattle -- REI will open a store in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the spring of 2014.

The 30,000-sq.-ft. store will house a bike shop, and ski and snowboard shop offering assembly and repair services, and host free in-store classes.

"Whether hiking, skiing or practicing yoga, Alaskans are some of the most active people in the country," said Kevin Golic, REI retail director for the Washington and Alaska district.

REI has a long history in Alaska, dating back to its store in Anchorage, opened in 1979.

Framingham, Mass. -- Expect renewed investment in the transformative capabilities of PLM and sourcing, marketing and advertising, and big data and analytics according to IDC Retail Insights, which on Tuesday released its Top 10 Predictions for 2014.

Here are the IT consulting company’s top 10 predictions for 2014:

1. In 2014, fast-followers will chase the 50 global retailers already transforming store, mobile, and e-commerce channels, supply chains, merchandising, and marketing for the omni-channel customer experience

Currently president and CEO of Walmart's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Canada region, David Cheesewright has been promoted to president and CEO of Walmart International, the company's second largest operating segment.

Cheesewright will report to Doug McMillon, who was tapped to succeed Mike Duke as the company's president and CEO. Both assume their new roles Feb. 1, 2014. Cheesewright's successor will be named at a later date.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores named David Cheesewright, 51, as the new president and CEO of Walmart International. He succeeds Douglas McMillon, who is set to become the chain’s CEO, the retailer's top executive. Both assume their new roles on Feb. 1, 2014.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Livingston Center in Livingston, N.J. The approximately 32,155-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2014.

The developer for the project is G&S Investors.

"We're excited about the opportunity to open our third Nordstrom Rack in New Jersey at a great location in the Livingston community," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack.