eCommerce

Everyone who is anyone will be on hand in New York next week for the nineteenth annual Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference so its not surprising that Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon will be in attendance.

July may not be a big month for online shopping, but traffic numbers at Target.com are heading in the wrong direction.

The online audience measurement firm comScore Media Metrix reported that Target.com had approximately 25.8 million unique visitors during July 2012 compared to roughly 26.5 million during July 2011. Despite the decline, on a positive note, Target was ranked 46^{th on the firm’s monthly Top 50 Web Properties report, making it the only traditional retailer beside Walmart to appear on the top 50 list.}

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS A. Bank Clothiers reported that its earnings in the second quarter rose 12.7% to $23.2 million, from $20.6 million a year earlier, easily beating analysts projections. The retailer said it plans to open about 45 to 50 stores each in fiscal 2012 and 2013.

Total sales in the quarter rose 12.9% to $260.3 million. Sales in the company's direct marketing segment, which consists of the Internet and catalog call centers, rose 39.3%.Same-store store sales increased 6.1%.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The first of 39 former Zellers stores Walmart bought from Target in Canada celebrated its grand opening as a Walmart store earlier this month.

According to Walmart Canada, the 69,000 sq. ft. store located in Newmarket, Ontario, will feature easy-to-navigate aisles with directional signage, and a bright interior color palette to define the store's merchandise areas along with lower shelving to improve sightlines. The store will also conain a pharmacy.

An 8% same store sales increase is atypical for a food retailer which is why The Fresh Market’s second quarter performance is so noteworthy.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Genesco Inc.'s profit topped estimates for the eighth quarter in a row amid increased store traffic. The company raised its full-year earnings outlook for the second time this year.

Genesco, which operates stores under such banners as Journeys, Lids, Johnston & Murphy and Schuh banners, said its adjusted quarterly profit rose to $12.1 million from $5.2 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 15% to $543.5 million.Same-store sales were up 4%.

Ron Johnson, CEO of J.C. Penney Co., gives a sneak preview of the company’s latest wave of brand shops, which will open in nearly 700 Penney stores nationwide on Sept 1. The new shops are dedicated to three brands: Liz Claiborne, IZOD and jcp – a new exclusive brand dedicated to high-quality fashion basics.

Click here for a video tour of the new shops.

Target’s second quarter sales increased 3.5% to $16.5 billion and the company’s profits grew 2.9% to $1.06, five cents better than analysts expected.

The company’s second quarter results were negatively affected by pre-opening expenses related to next year’s entry into Canada. Excluding those expenses, Target said its profits would have increased 4.6% to $1.12 compared to $1.07 last year. Including expenses related to Canada, Target increased its full year profit forecast to a range of $4.20 to $4.40 from an earlier guidance range of $4.10 to $4.30.