Omnichannel

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The pace at which Walmart adds new selling space globally will remain unchanged next year, but improved productivity, more U.S. stores and expanding multichannel capabilities are expected to produce sales and profit growth.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has expanded international shipping for online orders on Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. The company is providing this service to its customers in partnership with i-parcel, a leading international air express company that facilitates global shipping capabilities.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us announced that international shipping is now available for online orders on Toysrys.com and Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. The company is providing this service to its customers in partnership with i-parcel, a leading international air express company that facilitates global shipping capabilities.

Neil Ashe, president and CEO of global e-commerce was clearly the most excitable person on stage Wednesday at Walmart’s 19th annual analysts' meeting. And for good reason.

Walmart created its global e-commerce group two years ago and Ashe joined the company back in January. Wednesday was his first opportunity to participate in the company’s annual analysts’ meeting and he made the most of it, slipping in a first ever reference to Walmart’s online revenues that now total $9 billion.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, announced its Retail Services business has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing the private label credit card program for multichannel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel.

This year, in partnership with Alliance Data, Crate and Barrel introduced a rewards-based credit card that allows customers to earn rewards across all three brands: Crate and Barrel, CB2 and The Land of Nod.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Wednesday that customers in Japan can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp). The sites offer Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Banana Republic products.

Rogers, Ark. -- As part of its annual address to investors on Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores said it expects global e-commerce sales to reach $9 billion next fiscal year.

The retailer said it has made walmart.com easier to shop with a new search engine, enabled cash payment functions, and is now testing same-day delivery in four markets and a scan-and-go service for smartphones.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported fourth-quarter sales of $31.52 billion, an increase of 14% from $27.59 billion for the same period last year.

Net income for the quarter was $609 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, compared with $478 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

Comparable-store sales, excluding fuel, rose 6% at U.S. stores, 7% internationally and 6% for the total company.