Sales & Marketing

Boston -- The current use of social media data by retailers for merchandise planning is limited, with only 39% using it for product development and only 35% using it for promotional planning.  

The pre-owned luxury goods auction platform Worthy.com has added new functionality to its live auction experience for sellers.

For the first time ever, sellers auctioning their luxury watches and jewelry online can watch their auction as it unfolds, while having access to the high-definition photos and professional description of the item being auctioned, according to Worthy.

Houston -- EarthWerks flooring has added an additional position for the company. Lindsey Nisbet will join as head of product development and marketing strategy.     Nisbet will be focused on designing and developing new LVT products as well as determining the best ways to market and merchandise our line with our distribution and dealer network.  

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Health Corp. on Tuesday reported slightly higher-than-expected quarterly profit, helped in part by growth in sales of specialty drugs. Net income decreased 24% to $900 million from $1.21 billion in the year-ago period, primarily due to a $521 million pre-tax loss on the early extinguishment of debt.      

Like an inconsiderate party guest, Old Man Winter arrived early this year, bringing his trusty cohorts snow, ice, wind and rain. The first official day of winter is still a month away, but many parts of the United States are feeling the freeze, especially in the Northern Plains, where snow fell 11 days before summer officially ended. If that is any indication of the upcoming season, retailers could be in for a long and brutal winter.

Winter Forecast

For many, winter is a magical time of the year.

New York -- U.S. households plan to spend an average of $538 on gifts this holiday season, up slightly from $528 last year, The Conference Board reports today. About 8% of consumers say they plan to spend more this year on holiday gifts, while approximately 32% plan to spend less. The remaining 60% plan to spend about the same as last year.  

Glamour girl and a fashion mogul Paris Hilton has created a new fragrance to add to her $2 million fragrance portfolio.  A new scent With Love, Paris Hilton is dedicated to Hilton’s fans around the world.

From the scent to its gracefully designed bottle, With Love, Paris Hilton explores Hilton’s more sophisticated side, according to Harry Fremont, the perfumer of Firmenich fragrance house who created this new addition to Hilton’s fragrance collection.

Minneapolis -- Tuesday Corp. announced that it planned to close 11 stores as of Feb. 1, 2015, citing performance issues.