eCommerce

New York -- Many apparel retailers and department stores registered solid gains in March, as an early spring brought out shoppers looking for seasonal merchandise earlier than they typically would. Last month was the warmest March in North America in more than 50 years, according to weather data provider Planalytics.

Macy’s, Kohl’s Corp., Limited Brands and Gap Inc. were among the retailers who topped analyst estimates.

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.’s profit in the fourth quarter rose to $351.0 million, from $283.5 million a year ago.

Revenue for the quarter ended Feb. 25 increased 9.1% to $2.73 billion. Same-store sales were up 6.8%.

In a conference call with analysts, the chain said it anticipates opening a total of 40 stores across all its concepts this fiscal year.
 

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens posted March sales of $6 billion, a decrease of 4.3%, compared with the same month in fiscal year 2011.

Boston -- Amazon.com is America's most relevant retailer, followed by Target, according to Brodeur Partners’ Retail Relevance Top 10 ranking. The study asked shoppers to look at 21 of the nation's top retailers and select the "most" and "least" personally relevant retailer in four specific areas: practicality, values, sensory appeal and social appeal.

Amazon wasn’t always a threat to Walmart, but as the only retailer grows and offers more of the same products as traditional mass retailers, it has become hard to ignore. This article from Businessweek examines how Amazon has influenced Walmart’s approach to online.

New York -- More than half of consumers (67%) said they plan to spend the same or more at retailers than they did last year, a nine percentage point increase from last year, according to the 2012 Spring Consumer Pulse Survey by Deloitte. Consumers also feel slightly better about the economy this year than last; 57% of survey respondents said the economy has been recently recovering, compared with 52% last year.

New York -- Saks Inc. announced hat Michael Burgess has been named president, Saks Direct, effective May 7. Burgess will report to Denise Incandela, executive VP and CMO for Saks Fifth Avenue and current President, Saks Direct.

Burgess has served as executive VP of the consumer division of FTD at United Online since 2008 where he led merchandising, marketing, consumer information technology, and several other functions of the growing FTD North America business segment.
 

NEW YORK — Saks has named Michael Burgess as president of its direct business, effective May 7, 2012. Burgess will report to Denise Incandela, EVP and chief marketing officer for Saks Fifth Avenue and current president of Saks direct.