eCommerce

Alain Poirier has joined Tompkins International as VP business development.

In his new role, Poirier will identify opportunities and develop solutions to ensure that clients achieve their business objectives, according to a Tompkins statement. Poirier previously held various executive and sales leadership positions for companies such as Aldata, Sterling Commerce (IBM), TrueDemand (Acosta), and Manhattan Associates.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has sold its interest in Simon Property Group, L.P. back to Simon Property Group Inc. for $248 million in cash, helping the company get back on financial track.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Once again, consumers are putting off back-to-school shopping until the last minute, but retailers can take solace in the fact that they intend to spend more this year.

According to NPD's survey, 31% of respondents said they plan to spend more this year, compared with 22% who made that claim in 2011. The number of consumers who plan to spend less went from 38% in 2011 to 24% this year, while those who plan to spend the same rose from 40% to 46%.

LOS ANGELES — Sears is targeting young women with a new career-focused apparel line called Metaphor. The apparel collection, which is scheduled to hit stores in August, will include jackets, trousers, shirts and dresses at reasonable price points, according to the company. The line will be complemented by fashion footwear and jewelry.

Lowe’s will begin carrying a line of outdoor sheds made of structural insulated panels (SIPS) at its 1,700 retail locations, as well as through its website. But unlike traditional SIPS – rigid foam insulation between two panels of oriented strand board (OSB) – the new product will be made with sheets of magnesium oxide, often referred to as MgO.

LOS ANGELES — Back-to-school shoppers plan on stretching their dollar and taking advantage of retailer incentives to save, PriceGrabber said.

And the winner is… Oracle selects technology executive at Chile’s top department store chain for ultimate honor.

The average American has never heard of the Falabella chain of department stores, but the company dominates its home market of Chile and is regarded as a leader in the use of technology. So much so that when Oracle held its annual Retail Excellence Awards recently, it named Falabella’s VP technology and development, Julius Odian, as its Retailer Executive of the Year.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Wet Seal has terminated the employment of its CEO, Susan McGalla, and has begun a search for a new executive to head the struggling young women's apparel retailer.

Until such a person is found, Wet Seal president and COO and Steve Benrubi, CFO, will serve as co-principal execuitve officers and members of the office of the chairman, led by Hal Kahn, until a new CEO is elected by the board of directors.

For the month-to-date, Wet Seal's comps have declined between 13% and 14%.