Sales & Marketing

Chico’s FAS has enlisted Borderfree — a leading operator of an international technology and services platform — to help the omnichannel specialty retailer expand its e-commerce capabilities globally.

As a result of the partnership, the retailer will now be able to transact with shoppers in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide in more than 60 global currencies.

New York -- Fitch Ratings downgraded the credit ratings of Sears Holding Corp. from “CCC” to “CC,” citing the “magnitude” of the retailer’s drop in profitability and lack of visibility to turn operations around as a significant concern.

Fitch also cited the company’s cash burn rate, calling it a “significant concern.”

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s Department Stores is launching an omnichannel partnership with lifestyle brand Juicy Couture. Juicy Couture products are now available at Kohl’s stores nationwide and at the dedicated URL Kohls.com/JuicyCouture.

Starboard Value CEO and chief investment officer Jeffrey Smith has resigned from the Office Depot board, effective immediately. The company’s nominating and governance committee plans to start a search for a replacement.

Atlanta – A Home Depot customer has reportedly filed a lawsuit against The Home Depot Inc. alleging the retailer did not properly protect consumer data from the recent cyber attack that occurred. According to Reuters, Illinois resident Kelsey O’Brien filed the suit Sept. 9 in Chicago federal court.

Recently, I was out shopping with my children and we saw a pay phone bolted to the wall near the checkout line of a store. It didn’t appear to be operational, but there it stood. “What’s that?” my 11-year-old daughter asked.

New York – Almost all retailers consider Big Data to be important, according to a new survey from Accenture Analytics. When asked how important is Big Data to their organization, 94% of retail executives answered “important,” 58% responded “extremely important,” and 36% responded “important.”

New York -- With just 105 shopping days left until Christmas (as of Sept. 10), Toys “R” Us outlined its holiday strategy at a preview event in New York City. Among the highlights: free online layaway, enhanced loyalty program, improved online and in-store checkout, and two new in-store shops.  
    
“Our focus at Toys “R” Us for the 2014 holiday season is to make it easy for customers to shop with us, both in-store and online,” said Hank Mullany, president, Toys “R” Us, U.S.