Omnichannel

A funny thing happened on the way to the department store: luxury goods became accessible to consumers online and at increasingly deeply discounted prices. Thanks to a spate of discount websites offering “flash sales” or exclusive, limited-time offerings, the flash sale phenomenon has revolutionized the way consumers shop, offering an entry into the luxury market at a fraction of the price.  

WHITING, Ind. — An online consumer survey shows that nearly half of consumers go into brick-and-mortar stores with their smartphones to research items without buying them and then looked for the same item at a lower price online.

The 2,361-adult survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com between Sept. 18 and 20, found that 43% of smartphone and tablet owners have engaged in the practice, known as "showrooming."

New York -- Uniqlo, a division of Japan's Fast Retailing Co. Ltd, will launch its U.S. e-commerce site next week, a crucial part of its drive to earn $10 billion in overall North American sales by 2020, Bloomberg reported.

"By opening this e-commerce site now, we are able to cater to customers across the United States," said Uniqlo USA CEO Shin Odake in the Bloomberg report.

Uniqlo currently has five U.S. locations, including new sites in San Francisco and New Jersey, along with its other three in Manhattan.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — ChannelAdvisor, a provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions that enable retailers to increase global sales, has partnered with Kabbage Inc., an online provider of working capital for small businesses, to offer ChannelAdvisor customers direct access to a new source of funding in time for the 2012 holiday season.

San Francisco -- Pbteen, a division of Williams-Sonoma, plans to open five pop-up stores in the Durham, Cincinnati, Edina, Houston and Miami areas this October and November.

The stores will showcase PBteen’s new holiday gift assortment, including gadgets for guys and girls, fur-inspired bedding and lounge seating, jewelry and beauty storage and accessories.

ATLANTA — RedPrairie, a global supply chain and retail technology provider, has named Gary Conway as EVP and chief marketing officer. In this role, Conway is responsible for RedPrairie’s global marketing strategy, including corporate brand management, customer engagement, product strategy and marketing, and demand generation. Conway will report to RedPrairie CEO Michael Mayoras and become a member of the company’s executive leadership team.  

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Revenue at eBay rose 15% to $3.4 billion for the third quarter ended Sept. 20 from the the same period last year. The company reported third quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $597 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $718 million, or 55 cents per diluted share. GAAP and non-GAAP net income were up 22% and 14%, respectively, year over year due primarily to strong top-line growth.

Minneapolis -- Target announced that, for the first time ever, it will offer shoppers the ability to match select online competitors’ prices in its stores between Nov. 1 and Dec. 16. Qualifying online retailers include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com.