eCommerce

Former Tommy Hilfiger exec named SVP, retail at Columbia
PORTLAND, Ore. — Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as SVP of retail, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle.

In his new role, Cox, 49, will be responsible for leading the company’s brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce operations in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

Cox has 24 years of experience developing, managing and improving profitability of branded retail networks with operations in the U.S., Europe, South America, Middle East and Asia.
Target to showcase products chosen by Wired magazine
MINNEAPOLIS — Target will feature electronics picked by the editors of Wired magazine, under a deal between the two.

Target said the custom-curated assortment of products would include four products available for the first time at Target, including personal fitness, photography and digital music streaming.

Walmart looks to resolve Canada’s raccoon problem

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Walmart Canada is looking to resolve Canada’s raccoon problem by carrying Great Value Mint-X raccoon repellent garbage bags.
Online sales tax bill moves forward in Senate

New York -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to move forward with the Marketplace Fairness Act, legislation that would allow states to force retailers to collect online sales taxes, if the states choose to do so.
Annie's names organic food exec new SVP, strategy

BERKELEY, Calif. — Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.
GNC Holdings profit rises in Q1

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended March 31 rose 12.5% to $72.6 million, compared with $64.5 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 6.5% to $664.7 million, from $624.3 million last year. Same-store sales advanced 1.9% in domestic company-owned stores (including online sales).
George Soros takes 7.9% stake in J.C. Penney

New York -- Giving a much-needed boost to J.C. Penney Co., George Soros’ Soros Fund Management bought 17.4 million shares of the troubled retailer, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The stake, which was seen as a vote of confidence in returning CEO Mike Ullman, makes the billionaire investor the fourth-largest Penney shareholder, with a 7.9% stake.
Orvis to open at Village at Leesburg

Leesburg, Va. -- Cypress Equities said that Orvis will open a new store at the 1.2 million-sq.-ft. Village at Leesburg mixed-use project in Leesburg, Va.

Orvis will occupy 6,022 sq. ft. in a new 13,000-sq.-ft. retail building currently under construction. Orvis is slated to open in fall 2013.
Shisui Premium Outlets opens with lineup of first-to-Japan brands

Tokyo, Japan -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.
IBM: 20% online growth in Q1

Armond, N.Y. -- First quarter online shopping in 2013 grew more than 20% over the same period last year, and more than five times in-store sales growth, helping drive up department store and home goods purchases, according to the IBM Online Retail Index.

The IBM Index comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau report which announced in-store sales for the January through March 2013 period were up 3.7%.

The IBM Online Retail Index also found:

Former Tommy Hilfiger exec named SVP, retail at Columbia

Target to showcase products chosen by Wired magazine

Walmart looks to resolve Canada’s raccoon problem

Online sales tax bill moves forward in Senate

Annie's names organic food exec new SVP, strategy

GNC Holdings profit rises in Q1

George Soros takes 7.9% stake in J.C. Penney

Orvis to open at Village at Leesburg

Shisui Premium Outlets opens with lineup of first-to-Japan brands

IBM: 20% online growth in Q1