Omnichannel

Framingham, Mass. -- When comparing social media investment to other emerging technology areas, retailers more than any other industry are making strong investments, according to a new study by International Data Corp.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. announced the continued global expansion of the Starbucks mobile platform with the roll-out of Starbucks app for Android to the United Kingdom and Canada.

In addition, U.S. customers who download or update to the official Starbucks app for Android will be able to experience new enhancements including a widget, PayPal support, PIN code protection, and viewing the My Starbucks Rewards history dashboard.

Atlanta -- Stibo Systems announced that Best Buy Canada has selected Stibo Systems to optimize its customer’s online and mobile e-commerce experience.

Best Buy Canada, which operates roughly 225 consumer electronics stores under the brands Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, and Future Shop, will use Stibo Systems’ Step platform to support their multichannel efforts and to streamline item setup and data management for the English-Canadian and French-Canadian versions of www.bestbuy.ca and www.futureshop.ca.
 

New York -- The retail industry is buzzing as a discounter giant and a luxury stalwart form an unprecedented partnership.

Target Corp. and Neiman Marcus Group announced Tuesday they have joined to market a joint holiday 2012 limited collection that ranges from fashion to sporting goods.

More than 50 products will be available at both stores and on their websites starting Dec. 1 until they sell out. The pair feels the partnership makes more sense than people might think.

Paris -- Shoppers worldwide expect a seamless integration across online, social media, mobile and physical stores, according to a new global report released Tuesday by Capgemini.

According to "Digital Shopper Relevancy," which surveyed 16,000 digital shoppers across 16 developing and mature markets, 60% of respondents said they expect the convergence of retail channels by 2014, while more than half of those surveyed said most retailers currently are inconsistent in the way they present themselves across channels.

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Wolverine Worldwide reported slight revenue growth as it looks to build its portfolio with the acquisition of the Performance and Lifestyle Group from Collective Brands.

Wolverine Worldwide reported quarterly revenue of $312.7 million, an increase of 0.8% compared with the prior year's second quarter when revenue grew over 20%. 

Reported diluted earnings per share in the quarter were 42 cents, compared with prior year's earnings per share of 48 cents.

Framingham, Mass. -- Mobile payments have more than doubled in popularity reaching over 33% of survey respondents, according to IDC Financial Insights’ eighth annual Consumer Payments Survey.

The new report, “Business Strategy: Results from the 2012 Consumer Payments Survey,” found that those that of whose had made a mobile payment, more than half used PayPal Mobile (56%), with Amazon Payments and Apple's iTunes service statistically tied at about 40%. 

Los Angeles -- Private equity firm Brentwood Associates has acquired a majority stake in Sundance Holdings Group ("Sundance Catalog").

Sundance Catalog, founded by Robert Redford in 1989 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a multichannel direct marketer and specialty retailer of women's apparel and accessories, jewelry and home furnishings. Selling shareholders, including ACI Capital and Webster Capital, will retain a minority ownership stake, and the business will remain under the leadership of current president and CEO Matey Erdos.