eCommerce

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers on Friday applauded the adoption of an amendment to the fiscal year 2014 Senate Budget Resolution. The amendment gives states the authority – if they so choose – to require online sellers to collect sales taxes just like brick-and-mortar retailers already do.

New Orleans -- Smoothie King Franchises said Monday it plans to open 70 franchise and 30 corporate locations across the U.S. in 2013.

Since December 2012, the smoothie franchise has acquired six additional locations in Florida and Texas, bringing the total number of corporate stores to seven. The company also has opened six new franchise locations since the start of the year.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced that Susan Lanigan, EVP and general counsel, has decided to retire from Dollar General later this year after nearly 11 years with the company.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Cypress Equities, the developers of West 7th in Fort Worth, Texas, announced that Kona Grill will open a new restaurant location within the mixed-use development later this year.

The new 7,500-sq.-ft. restaurant marks Kona Grill’s fifth Texas location and second in the DFW metroplex.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General reported Monday net income of $317 million for the quarter ended Feb. 1, compared with $293 million in the year-ago period, beating Wall Street expectations. The company also forecasted 2013 sales growth of 10%-12%, slightly below analysts’ views.

Revenue edged up 0.5% to $4.21 billion in the quarter, missing Wall Street’s expected $4.26 billion. Same-store sales rose 3%.

For the full year, profit grew to $953 million from $767 million, and revenue rose 8.2% to $16.02 billion.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble is giving away a free Nook Simple Touch e-reader, which retails for $79, to any customer who buys its high-definition Nook HD+ tablet between March 24 and March 31.

The offer is available at all Barnes & Noble stores, Barnes & Noble College Bookstores and online. It also is being offered through other retailers that sell Nook products, including Walmart.com, Target and Best Buy.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal reported that net sales for the fourth quarter were $161.7 million compared with net sales of $163.2 million for the 13-week fourth quarter in fiscal 2011.

Consolidated comparable-store sales declined 8.3%, including a comparable-store sales decline of 9.1% at Wet Seal and 3.1% at Arden B. 

Net loss was $85.8 million, or 97 cents per diluted share, as compared with net income of $1.1 million, or 1 cent per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. 

The recent announcement that retail giant Walmart plans to open more than 100 of the brand’s Neighborhood Market stores in 2013, and as many as 500 Neighborhood Market locations over the next few years, has industry analysts and observers talking. They have my attention, as well.