eCommerce

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group posted sales of  $470.9 million for its third quarter ended Oct. 30, a decrease of 17.6% from the same period a year ago. Same-store sales declined by 12.6%.

The company posted a loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of $74.4 million, versus a loss $37.7 million a year ago.

New York City -- More than $17.5 billion has been spent online for the November-December 2010 holiday season to donate , marking a 12% increase versus the corresponding days last year, comScore reported on Wednesday.

As 2010 draws to a close and interest in all things mobile reaches a fever pitch, Juniper Research has drawn up a list of predictions for the mobile and wireless industry for 2011. (Based in the United Kingdom, Juniper specializes in the identification and appraisal of high-growth opportunities across the mobile telecoms, content, and applications sectors.).

Here is the firm’s Top 5 predictions:

New York City -- Nearly half of U.S. smartphone users say they have already, or soon will, use their phones to do mobile shopping, according to a recent survey conducted by ABI Research, and 53% also use, or intend to use, their smartphones for mobile banking.

Seattle -- Callison has teamed with parent companies Abercrombie & Fitch and Urban Outfitters to internationally expand the Hollister Co./Gilly Hicks and Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie brands, respectively.

Abercrombie & Fitch has retained Callison as its architect of record to implement its expansion for Hollister in the United Kingdom and Germany. A total of five stores have opened under Callison’s direction with approximately 10 more locations planned.

Chicago -- Year-over-year GAFO retail sales increased a slight 2.3% or the week ending Dec. 4, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE), while the company’s Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported foot traffic remained flat for the same period.

Mooresville,  N.C. -- Sales at Lowes.com are running about 35% ahead of last year, according to CEO Robert Niblock, who spoke to analysts during the retailer's recent Analyst and Investors Conference. Still, the Mooresville, N.C.-based home improvement giant has ideas on how to improve its digital business.

During the event, Niblock explained an important part of the retailer's vision: "Whenever, wherever the customer wants to interact with us, we're going to try and make it convenient for them."