eCommerce

New York -- The Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Party City Holdings Inc., Rockaway, N.J., in a deal valued at $2.69 billion.

RESTON, Va., and ATLANTA — A simple and convenient returns policy is an important factor in the decision to make a purchase online, a new study form comScore and UPS found. According to the Online Shopping Customer Experience Study, 63% of online shoppers look at a retailer’s return policy before making a purchase. Nearly half said they would shop more often and recommend a retailer with a lenient returns policy, indicating its value in driving customer loyalty.

Reston, Va. -- A significant 63% of online shoppers look at a retailer's return policy before making a purchase, and nearly half said that they would shop more often and recommend a retailer with a lenient returns policy, according to a new study by comScore. The report, commissioned by UPS, evaluates consumer shopping habits from pre-purchase to post-delivery. It is based on a comScore survey of more than 3,100 U.S. online shoppers.

Mahwah, N.J. -- Furnitureland South, in Jamestown, N.C., has selected TD Retail Card Services to develop and administer its new private label credit card.
 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Monday released the tally of its shareholder vote on Friday in which all directors of its board reelected. The voting showed some dissent against key executives and board members, including CEO Mike Duke, in the wake of allegations of bribery in Mexico.

According to the tally, CEO Mike Duke received 87% of votes in favor of his re-election. In other results, Chairman Robson Walton, son of Sam Walton received 87% in favor of re-election, and former CEO Lee Scott received 84%.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters has named Mary Boland as EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, effective July 9. Boland’s responsibilities will include finance, investor relations, merchandise planning and allocation, strategy planning, and other administrative functions.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes reported Friday that net income for the first quarter plummeted 31.7% to $17.8 million, from $26 million in the year-ago period.

Sales dropped 4.6% to $481.3 million, largely due to the shuttering of 157 stores. E-commerce was a strength in the quarter, up 18% over the prior-year period. Same-store sales were flat in the first quarter, including a 1% comparable-store sales increase for Lane Bryant, a 5% comparable-store sales increase for Catherines, and a 3% comparable-store sales decrease for Fashion Bug.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop customers outside of the United States will soon have access to the PlayStation Network's downloadable content from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. This digital option will be available at more than 1,600 store locations in Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Customers in those countries will have the ability to purchase DLC with any form of payment including trade credits, gift cards and cash.