eCommerce

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open Nordstrom Rack stores in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, Wis.; Ann Arbor, Mich., and Columbus, Ohio.

It will be the retailer's first location in the state of Wisconsin.

The approximately 36,000-sq.-ft. store in Wauwatosa, Wis., is scheduled to open in spring 2014 at The Mayfair Collection, a 250,000-sq.-ft. planned adaptive reuse development of a former industrial complex and distribution center.

New York -- Survey results released Tuesday by WSL/Strategic Retail found that Canada represents a strong expansion opportunity for U.S. retailers.
 
The “How Canada Shops” research study revealed that 64% of Canadians can still afford to shop beyond the basics – versus half of Americans, who say they cannot.



Armonk, N.Y. -- Study results released Tuesday by IBM revealed that while U.S. consumers shopped this July and August, they were not buying clothes and notebooks for their children but rather items for the home.

According to IBM’s findings, the biggest retail gains this back-to-school shopping season came from home goods purchases which increased 30% in July and more than 25% in August over their respective months in 2012.

Stockholm, Sweden -- Ikea said Monday that its CEO Mikael Ohlsson will step down effective Sept. 1, 2013, and will be succeeded by Peter Agnefjall, current country manager of Ikea Sweden.

To prepare Agnefjall for his new role, Ikea said that he will serve as VP of the company beginning in 2013 until his September transition.

Bellevue, Wash. -- Eddie Bauer LLC said Monday it has named Daniel E. Templin as COO and CFO of the company.

Templin was previously CFO for VF Outdoor, which includes brands such as The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Timberland.

Eddie Bauer also announced that current CFO Marv Toland will move into the newly created role of senior VP Direct with responsibility for the brand's e-commerce and catalog businesses.

Former VF Outdoor CFO Dan Templin has joined Eddie Bauer as COO and CFO.

With the addition of Templin, current Eddie Bauer CFO Marv Toland was named to the newly created role of SVP of direct with responsibility for the brand’s e-commerce and catalog businesses.

Eddie Bauer CEO Mike Egeck characterized Templin as a seasoned outdoor industry executive whose responsibilities at VF Outdoor, with leading brands such as The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Timberland, will benefit Eddie Bauer.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware announced Monday it has rebranded the company as RH, in a move to better position itself as a multichannel operation.

According to RH creator Gary Friedman: "Today's RH is a far cry from the hardware and nostalgic discovery item based business it once was.  … The new branding positions us for the future and reflects our belief that we can curate a lifestyle beyond the four walls of the home."

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Monday that it has acquired the receivables associated with The Talbots Inc.’s existing private-label credit card file, and will acquire the credit card accounts, pending regulatory approval. The receivables portfolio totals about $145 million.

Alliance Data also said that its Retail Services business will provide private-label credit card services for Talbots, as well.