Data & Analytics

New York City -- Kmart stores is laying off 700 employees in its appliance departments.

The chain, a division of Sears Holdings Corp., is changing the way it sells appliances, allowing customers to check out appliances at any register rather than going to a dedicated register. Instead of having dedicated appliance-only associates, all Kmart staffers are being trained to answer questions about appliances.

There will also be a 1-800 number customers can call for help.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — eBay reported that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of GSI Commerce, a leading provider of e-commerce and interactive marketing services. The stockholders of GSI approved the adoption of the merger agreement with eBay at the special meeting of stockholders held on June 17 and the merger became effective later that day.

New York City -- Mobile commerce is expected to reach $31 billion by the end of 2016, according to a new report from Forrester Research.

The report, “Mobile Commerce Forecast: 2011 to 2016,” predicts an annual compound growth rate of 39% for mobile commerce over the next five years.

The report predicts mobile commerce will reach $6 billion by the end of this year, $10 billion next year and $31 billion by 2016.

Conserving energy just seems to come naturally to Staples Inc. The office supply chain’s embrace of energy-efficient technologies and practices throughout its facilities has won it a reputation as one of the retail industry’s leading green stars. Indeed, Staples was recently honored as the 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year in Energy Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its leadership in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.