eCommerce

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — If Staples is a proxy for the health of the U.S. economy don’t look for conditions to improve any time soon.

New York – A report by Women’s Wear Daily said that shapewear brand Spanx will launch a retail presence, with four store openings in the coming months.

Expanding its online and department-store presence, Spanx will open three standalone branded stores in October, according to WWD, located in Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Va.; Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J.; and King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia.  A fourth store is slated to open at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

Mexico City -- Multiple reports on Wednesday revealed that Wal-Mart Stores’ Mexican arm has been leveled with new allegations concerning tax evasion and money-laundering schemes.

The accusations against Walmex were outlined in a letter by U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, sent Tuesday to Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke and suggesting that the company “"may have had compliance issues relating not only to bribery, but also to 'questionable financial behavior' including tax evasion and money laundering in Mexico."

The Annual State of the Industry Report is the centerpiece of this issue of Chain Store Age, and it’s a great read. It’s also very timely.

Foot Locker is kicking up its heels in the United Kingdom. The footwear giant has opened a new format — The Locker Room — with an eye to rolling it out throughout England and continental Europe. The concept expands Foot Locker’s core strength in athletic footwear to include apparel and accessories for a wide range of performance sports.

Toronto -- Sears Canada reported Wednesday a loss of $9.8 million in the second quarter, widened from a loss of $200,000 in the year-ago period.

Revenue fell 8.5% to $1.050 billion, from $1.148 billion. Same-store sales dropped 7.1%.

The retailer attributed much of the problem to warm, dry weather in many areas of Canada, which impacted sales of outdoor power equipment.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch reported Wednesday that net income in the second quarter slid 52% to $15.5 million, compared with $32 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales rose 4% to $951.4 million, missing Wall Street’s forecast of $954.9 million, and U.S. sales fell 5%. The retailer said Wednesday it is cutting its 2012 earnings guidance and will open fewer international Hollister stores in fiscal 2012 than initially planned.
 

LOS ANGELES — Nearly half of consumers polled in the latest PriceGrabber survey respondents said that retailers are serving up better back-to-school promotions this year, compared with 2011.