eCommerce

New York -- Toys “R” Us’ holiday 2012 plans include a “hot toy” reservation program, free and expanded layaway services and offering more exclusive toys from branded manufacturers along with more proprietary products. The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer also will open 150 to 200 temporary locations for the holidays under the Toys “R” Us Express banner.

New York -- Ritz Camera & Image LLC plans to go out of business after 94 years and close its remaining 137 stores after it failed in a bankruptcy auction to find a buyer to keep the camera chain afloat, the Chicago Tribune reported.

U.S. bankruptcy judge Kevin Gross in Wilmington, Del., approved a plan to turn over most of Ritz's assets to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC and Hilco Merchant Resources LLC.

Atlanta -- First Data Corp. reported Wednesday that consumers responded well to back-to-school and summer clearance sales in August, prompting an increase in August same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation announced that its board of directors has authorized the Federation to go to court to block the proposed $7.25 billion settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over skyrocketing Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees that cost consumers hundreds of dollars a year.

Philadelphia -- Tween discounter Five Below Inc. reported Tuesday a loss in the second quarter of $64.2 million due to one-time costs that were attributed mainly to dividend payments made to preferred shareholders, among others. That compares with a loss of $1.7 million in the year-ago period. However, adjusted profit of $1.2 million beat expectations and the company’s third-quarter and full-year estimates are in line with Wall Street’s forecast.

New York -- The Men’s Wearhouse will make its outlet center debut in the fourth quarter, opening five stores under the Men’s Wearhouse Outlet banner, management said during the company’s recent earnings call with investors. The stores will be located in outlet centers across the United States.

New York -- There is a new opportunity for retailers to market beyond the technology savvy and often male consumer pool to a larger group of less technology informed with customer service programs that provide basic device educational training around devices and product bundling to ease the buying experience,  according to a survey by Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG).

WESTBORO, Mass. — Charlotte Russe has partnered with MICROS-Retail, a division of MICROS Systems Inc., to develop and build a robust omni-channel solution as part of a revamp of its retail systems.