eCommerce

New York City -- Spencer Gifts, a mainstay of malls across North America, has leased its first-ever location in Manhattan. The 60-year-old chain operates more than 600 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

As one of Spencer’s few free-standing locations, the store, located downtown near New York University, encompasses over 1,840 sq. ft. on the ground floor. It is due  to open in advance of the holiday season.

If you’re peeking at the news between slats in your fingers, scared to see where the S&P 500 sits or what’s happening with the NASDAQ, the Dow and the price of oil, you’re quite obviously not alone. Each day is a frightening new one, and no one – not even economists – are quite sure what’s going to happen next.

It’s always satisfying to look back and enjoy your professional successes. While I see nothing wrong with patting yourself on the back and basking in well-earned personal kudos, I have found that, from time to time, we must also remember where we’ve fallen short. Thinking about past mistakes certainly keeps me humble. More importantly, I’m almost always able to learn something from my missteps. After all, the more insight and information I can gather about why I was wrong about something, the more accurate I will be in the future.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports said its second-quarter earnings rose 48%, boosted by growing same-store sales. The company also raised its fiscal 2012 earnings guidance.

The chain earned $5.9 million in the three months that ended July 30, up from $4 million in the same quarter last year. Revenue climbed more than 9% to $153.1 million.

The performance topped Wall Street expectations.

Same-store sales rose  6%.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has appointed former Macy’s executive Mark S. Cosby as president of CVS/pharmacy, effective Oct. 1.

Cosby most recently served as Macy’s president of stores, where he was responsible for all Macy's store operations and support functions nationwide.

Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith International announced it will open its first retail stores outside the United States, in South Korea, which it called the fastest growing golf market in the world.

Golfsmith is opening the store in partnership with Golfzon Co., one of the world-largest sellers of virtual golf simulation systems. Under the terms of the agreement, the new stores will be branded Golfsmith and operated by Golfzon.