eCommerce

Walmart continues to gain online momentum, judging from the most recent monthly report from measurement firm comScore Media Metrix.

Walmart consistently ranks in the firm’s Top 50 U.S. Web properties report, and that was the case again in October when Walmart.com was ranked 23rd with 45.2 million unique visitors. By comparison, Target.com, which experienced some difficulties with a major relaunch several months ago, was the only other traditional retailer on the list and ranked 46th with 27 million unique visitors.

At a time when many bookstores, independents and chains, are struggling, Half Price Books remains on an upward trajectory, adding stores and expanding into new markets. The company opened its first store in 1972 in a converted, 1,000-sq.-ft. laundromat in Dallas, and now operates 113 stores across 16 states. It is the largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain in the United States.

The 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program recognized retailers from across the nation. Several of the regional retail winners are reviewed below.

Mindy Grossman/CEO/HSN

Washington, D.C. -- Holiday shoppers are expected to spend $155.43 on average for gift cards this season, and total gift-card spending is projected to reach $27.8 billion, according to a survey released Friday by the National Retail Federation.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose to $3.7 million, from $2.6 million a year earlier.

Sales increased to $152.1 million from $146.4 million. Same-store sales declined 0.9% on a consolidated basis.

The company had six store openings and two store closings at Wet Seal and four store openings and no store closings at Arden B during the third quarter. It expects to have 22 net Wet Seal store openings and three net Arden B store openings for the full year.
 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy today announced enhanced shopping and prescription refill functionality for its mobile site, located at m.CVS.com, as well as iPhone and Android apps, enabling shoppers to use mobile devices to manage their ExtraCare Rewards accounts, scan and send prescription refills, and order photo prints from CVS Photo Centers.

Customers accessing CVS/pharmacy's mobile website can now take advantage of several features of the ExtraCare Rewards Program. This new functionality lets shoppers:

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line announced that Chris Ladd will join the company Nov. 21 as executive VP, chief digital officer. Ladd’s responsibilities will include providing vision, leadership and strategy to develop and implement initiatives across the enterprise including digital and mobile commerce, social media and other key components of the multichannel experience.

He comes to Finish Line from Lululemon, a 150-store specialty retailer of yoga-inspired athletic apparel, where he served as senior VP, Global Ecommerce.

Retailers have pulled out the stops this holiday season, especially when it comes to experimenting with cutting-edge digital technologies. But innovation shouldn’t be reserved for the holidays — it is something that should be infused into the shopping experience all year long.