Data & Analytics

Chicago – More retailers are hiring extra holiday staff this year. According to a new annual holiday hiring survey from CareerBuilder and Harris Interactive, 39% of retail hiring managers reported that they plan to hire seasonal workers this year, up from 36% last year and 29% in 2011.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced that Antonio Urcelay has been named chief executive, effective immediately, after serving as the company’s interim CEO since May of this year. In other executive news, the retailer appointed a former Wal-Mart executive, Hank Mullany, as president of Toys “R” U.S., effective Nov. 5.

Urcelay, 61, who joined Toys “R” Us in 1996, had been president of the company's Europe business before being named interim CEO.

Payments industry executive, Lisa Shipley, is joining Transaction Network Services (TNS) as head of global strategy for the company’s payments division.

In the newly created role, Shipley will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for the division. Shipley, who will be based at the company’s headquarters in Reston, Va., will also work closely with TNS’ product, sales, development and operations teams across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific regions to ensure the consistent execution of the strategy worldwide.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – The Wet Seal Inc. revising its financial guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 ending November 2, 2013. The company now expects to report a same-store sales increase in the low-single digits, compared to previously forecast mid-single digits, as well as a larger net loss than previously estimated.

Seattle — Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc. has broken ground on 400 Fairview alongside its first major office tenant — Tommy Bahama.

Skanska is the first developer to start work in the South Lake Union area of Seattle since the City Council rezoned the one-time industrial hub for office and retail.

The 400 Fairview building will be a 13-story tower with 320,000 sq. ft. of office space and 17,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail. Skanska is targeting LEED Gold certification on the building.

New York -- J.Crew ranked No. 1 overall in customer service in September for the third consecutive month, in a monthly survey by StellaService, the independent ratings provider that ranks online retailers according to their customer service. StellaService measures companies monthly across four service areas: phone, email, shipping and returns.

Here is a look at the top finishers in the four individual categories:

Global ecommerce and payments leader eBay said its third quarter revenues increased 14% to $3.9 billion and noted exceptional strength from mobile initiatives.

Profits declined to $689 million, or 53 cents a share, compared to $837 million, or 64 cents a share, but on an adjusted basis to exclude non-recurring expenses increased to $837 million, or 64 cents a share, compared to $718 million, or 55 cents a share.

The Coca-Cola Company is focusing on the positive following third quarter results for the period ended Sept. 27. The company experienced continued global value share gains in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages for the 25th consecutive quarter.

The company also reported worldwide volume growth of 2% in the third quarter against the backdrop of increasing volatility in several emerging markets. Coca-Cola Americas grew volume 1% in the quarter, with North America volume up 2% and Latin America volume flat in the quarter.