Sales & Marketing

Social commerce is finally here.

Various retailers and social media platforms have been experimenting with letting consumers make purchases directly from social networks for some time. But in the past few weeks a flurry of new and expanded social commerce options have been introduced.

The two executives behind Curacao, a Los Angeles-based department store chain targeting Hispanics, have left the company to start a new retail brand called Star World.

GameStop is joining Staples in what could be new trend this year of retailers just saying no to opening on Thanksgiving Day.

GameStop announced Monday that its stores will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. GameStop’s other brands such as Spring Mobile, Simply Mac, Cricket Wireless stores, and the new ThinkGeek retail store will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Shoe Carnival tapped Jeff Fink as senior VP real estate, effective Oct. 12. He will oversee the company’s store site selection and lease administration functions.

Fink joins Shoe Carnival with over 27 years of experience in the real estate industry focusing on footwear and specialty retail. Most recently, he worked for La-Z-Boy, as VP of real estate.

From 2003 to 2014, Fink worked for Jo-Ann Stores as senior VP, real estate and lease administration where he oversaw the addition of 366 stores totaling 2.8 million retail sq. ft.

Whole Foods Market has made a minority investment in a fast-growing California restaurant chain, according to Nation's Restaurant News.

As part of the deal, Whole Foods plans to test the opening of Mendocino Farms outlets in select market locations, according to the publication.

Restoration Hardware has opened a new format that redefines the retail experience and has CEO Gary Friedman calling it the company’s finest work to date.

The retailer says its new brand,  RH Modern, aims to offer one of the most fully-integrated assortments of modern furnishings, lighting and décor under one brand in the world. The multi-channel business  debuts with its own 540-page magazine-catalog hybrid, a dedicated website, and a significant retail presence, including a standalone RH Modern store.

Staples and Office Depot have agreed to a Federal Trade Commission decision to extend the review period for a possible $6.3 billion merger of the two companies.

The companies announced Monday that the FTC has agreed to issue its decision regarding this transaction by Dec. 8.

Kohl’s is speeding up its digital overhaul and expanding a new service that aims to attract shoppers who want their purchases to arrive as quickly as possible.

The company announced it will expand its partnership with Deliv to offer shoppers same-day delivery service. Deliv currently powers Kohl's same-day service in San Francisco, the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago. The service will now expand to Boston, Brooklyn/Queens, Los Angeles, Miami, Northern New Jersey, and Philadelphia in the coming weeks.