News

Amazon adds Prime Now deals to Prime Day mix
Amazon wants to get Prime Day deals into shoppers hands even faster. The online giant has added exclusive deals related to its Prime Now service to its Prime Day shopping extravaganza — a move that will get qualifying purchases to members within two hours. These deals will begin on Saturday, July 8 (two days prior to Prime Day’s launch), and run through July 11.
L Brands starts summer on a down note
Victoria's Secret is casting a shadow on parent company L Brands. L Brands said that net sales fell 6% to $1.21 billion for the five weeks ending period ending July 2. Total same-store sales fell 9%, worse than expected, dragged down by a 17% decline at Victoria's Secret. On the positive side, same-store sales rose 8% at Bath & Body Works.

Study: EMV is shifting fraud online

A new fraud pattern is emerging. For 84% of U.S.-based companies, EMV has lowered their fraud prevention costs. However, 52% of retailers said their card not present (CNP) losses are growing. This is according to the “2017 Global Payments Insight Survey: Merchants and Retailers,” from ACI Worldwide and Ovum. The study tapped 1,475 payments executives globally in December, 2016 -January, 2017.
No June gloom for Costco

The nation's largest wholesale club operator reported strong sales for the month of June, both domestically and globally. Costco Wholesale Corp. posted net sales of $12.17 billion for the five weeks ended July 2, 2017, up 5% from $11.33 billion during the year-ago period. Total same-store sales were up 6%. In the U.S., same-store sales rose 6.5% in June. International same-store sales increased 6.2%. Canadian same-store sales rose 3.2%.
QVC to acquire its biggest rival in $2 billion-plus deal

In a deal that will bring together two longtime home shopping rivals, QVC is acquiring the Home Shopping Network. Liberty Interactive Corp., owner of QVC, currently owns 38.2% of HSN parent HSNi. Under the agreement announced Thursday, Liberty will acquire the remaining 61.8% stake, making HSNi a wholly-owned subsidiary. The all-stock transaction has an enterprise value of $2.6 billion.
Home improvement giant to enhance rental offerings via acquisition

The Home Depot had acquired a company that will it enable it to expand its tool and equipment rental offerings to both professional and do-it-yourself customers. After years of working with Compact Power Equipment, The Home Depot announced a deal to acquire the equipment rental and maintenance services company for $265 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the company's fiscal second quarter.
Amazon’s Biggest Bite Yet: In-Store Shopper Data

In ancient Greek mythology, the Amazon were described as a tribe of man-slaying women warriors. Similarly, today’s Amazon is sometimes described as a slayer – of brick-and-mortar stores – blamed for the demise of multiple retailers. So, it’s interesting that the company has offered to pay $13.7 billion for Whole Foods Market and its brick-and-mortar footprint of more than 460 stores.
Department store retailer takes a swing at Amazon’s shopping event

In the wake of Amazon’s Prime Day hype, J.C. Penney is eager to drive momentum among its own online shoppers. The department store retailer is getting ready to host its own online-only shopping event, “Penney Palooza.” The second annual two-day sale, which is set to run July 11-12, will feature “48 hours of non-stop savings,” according to the retailer.
How generational differences influence path to purchase

Despite plenty of generational differences, there is one thing that shoppers of all ages put a priority on.
Will Amazon fund an IoT network?

A potential partnership could help Amazon enter the wireless business — a move that could further streamline its digital services. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Charlie Ergen, CEO of Dish, reportedly may be considering partnering on a potential wireless project. With Amazon’s financial backing, sources said the team could create an Internet of Things (IoT) network, reported the Wall Street Journal.