eCommerce

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A mobile commerce study released Thursday by customer experience analytics firm ForeSee found that Apple and Amazon rank far above all other retailers when it comes to mobile customer satisfaction.

When measuring how satisfied customers are with mobile shopping experiences of 16 of the largest e-retailers in the United States, Apple and Amazon, which scored 85 and 84, respectively, on the study’s 100-point scale, topped the list by a wide margin.

Target is bringing the experience of small, independent shops to the masses with its next design partnership, “The Shops at Target.”

Launching May 16 for a six-week run in all Target stores and online, “The Shops at Target” will provide customers with the feel of visiting some of the world’s most unique boutiques without having to travel beyond their nearest Target store. 

BRUSSELS — Belgian supermarket operator Delhaize Group, which operates the Food Lion, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys, Hannaford Supermarkets, Reid's and Sweetbay regional banners in the United States, said Thursday it will close 113 Food Lion stores and eliminate the Bloom banner as part of a reorganization. The Fool Lion stores slated for closure are primarily in markets in which the company has the least store density.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma Inc. said Thursday it has cut its fiscal Q4 earnings outlook below Wall Street expectations due to heavy holiday promotions levels.

The company said it had to offer discounts to entice shoppers this holiday season. Although earnings guidance has been reduced to below expectations, Williams-Sonoma’s revenue outlook remains in line with Wall Street, trimmed to a range of $1.24 billion to $1.26 billion. The company had previously expected revenue as high as $1.27 billion.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. confirmed Thursday that John Goodman, its chief of apparel and home division, has resigned the company, effective immediately.

Goodman was hired two years ago as executive VP of apparel and home, charged with turning around the retailer’s clothing business. His departure, which Sears says happened last week, coincides with the Jan. 3 arrival of Ron Boire, the former Brookstone president and CEO, as executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Sears and Kmart brands.

The Germans didn’t know the precise landing point of the allied of invasion of Europe, but Walmart now knows where Target plans to launch its assault on the Canadian market.

NEW YORK — Although online sales grew 15% from 2010 to 2011, many retailers' online ordering, shipping and returns processes failed to keep pace, according to management consultancy Kurt Salmon's rankings of 50 retailers.

Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores reported Wednesday that total third-quarter revenue rose to $403.9 million, from $365.4 million.

Sales at its namesake stores grew to $393.3 million from $354.1 million a year ago, just missing Wall Street’s expected $393.6 million in revenue.

For the quarter, same-store sales rose 8.5% on higher traffic and per-visit tickets.