Omnichannel

Seattle -- A report by Bloomberg said that Nordstrom Inc. will introduce an ongoing free shipping program for all purchases made at its department stores starting next week.

The program was unveiled just months after Nordstrom introduced standard free shipping and returns on its online orders. It was the first department store chain to do so.

NEW YORK — McDonald’s, Whole Foods Market and Best Buy are among the retailers participating in a new American Express program that allows shoppers to load discounts onto their American Express cards via Twitter.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. said Friday it has named Stephen Gillett as executive VP and president of Best Buy Digital and Global Business Services, effective March 14.

Gillett was previously executive VP Digital Ventures, and chief information officer at Starbucks, charged with leading the company’s efforts to enhance the overall global business operations and improve the customer experience through the use of innovative technology and digital experiences worldwide.

MINNEAPOLIS — While it may seem strange that a former Starbucks executive has been tapped to head Best Buy's digital and global business services, a closer look reveals Best Buy brewed a perfect fit.

New York -- McDonald’s, Whole Foods Market and Best Buy are among the retailers participating in a new American Express program that allows shoppers to load discounts onto their American Express cards via Twitter.

Why has Google arguably become the most popular advertising platform on the planet, attracting a whopping $36.5 billion in ad spending in 2011?  And why has Facebook, with an expected IPO valuation of around $100 billion, become such a juggernaut in digital marketing?

The short answer is both Internet platforms combine huge audiences and some capacity to understand individual preferences (based on online behavior and conversation) in order to help brands engage the right consumers with more relevant advertising content and dialogues. 

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus is testing a new iPhone-only app that allows customers to interact more directly with sales associates. The new app, called NM Service, is being tested in four stores this spring – Dallas;San Francisco; Austin, Texas; and Palo Alto, Calif.

Developed by Signature, NM Service has two interfaces: one for customers and one for sales associates. Each is designed to provide a more personal, mobile shopping experience for the Neiman Marcus customer.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle Inc. said Thursday its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 13% to $56.1 million amid higher same-store sales and growing online demand.

Revenue rose 11% to $337.1 million from $303.1 million. Same-store sales increased 8%. Online sales, which are not included in that total surged 31% to $27.6 million.

Buckle, which also sells tops, shoes and other clothing, caters to teens.