Sales & Marketing

Grapevine, Texas - GameStop Corp. reported declining total and same-store sales for the nine-week holiday 2014 period, despite solid growth in new software sales. Total global sales for the holiday period were $2.94 billion, a 6.7% decline compared to the 2013 holiday sales period.

Wearables
In 2015, consumers will inevitably begin to integrate wearable connective technology more into their daily lives. For example, Luxottica Group S.pA. is launching a multiyear R&D collaboration with Intel Corp. to create eyewear infused with smart technology. The ultimate goal is to deliver smart, fashion-forward products that are meaningful and desirable to consumers. The first product from Intel and Luxottica is expected to launch in 2015.

New York -- Etsy, an online marketplace site that specializes in crafts and artsy items, plans to hold an initial public offering this quarter, according to Bloomberg.

The Brooklyn-based company, which is working with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, looks to raise about $300 million, the report said.

Shoppers are ready to spend this spring thanks to a precipitous decline in gas prices and an expectation that prices will stay low.

A new study suggests that most Americans are optimistic about the economy, thanks to the continuing slide in gas prices. A survey of gas consumers found that 57% of Americans are optimistic, including nearly two-thirds (65%) of those ages 18-34.

Entering 2015, it is a good time for retailers to reflect on the changing state of digital advertising and how the most effective ads are increasingly shaped by smart optimization technologies. One essential fact is driving this broad industry trend: consumers are becoming ever more reliant on their smartphones, tablets and wearable devices. This growing dependence on mobile devices has even ushered in a new term for “nomophobia,” which is the fear of having no mobile contact.

London - Mothercare plc intends to create faster and more convenient omnichannel fulfillment options to its customers using supply chain commerce solutions from Manhattan Associates. The Manhattan solutions will enable Mothercare to make store stock available for online sales and support more efficient customer processes to speed up delivery options through express click and collect services and ship from store.

Location analytics solutions provider Esri is helping BJ’s Wholesale Club generate actionable business insights from club location data.

BJ’s use of Esri’s solutions was announced in conjunction with the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York. More specifically, BJ’s will use Esri’s location analytics solutions to aid in real estate research strategy and business insight analysis.

Burlington, Mass. – Demandware Inc. has agreed to expand into in-store retail sales by acquiring Tomax, an enterprise cloud software company that provides an integrated solution for retail POS and store operations. Total purchase price will be about $75 million, including $60 million in cash and $15 million in contingent retention-based payments.