News

Report: Target to pay $10M in data breach class action
Target Corp. has agreed to pay $10 million in a proposed settlement of a class-action suit related to the company’s 2013 data breach, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Survey: No signs of an e-commerce slowdown
Digital commerce continued its meteoric rise in the fourth quarter, according to the Shopping Index by Demandware.

The index, which measures digital commerce growth across two key attributes -- shopping attraction and shopper spend -- reveals that shopper attraction, which measures the number of shoppers, was up 25% in the fourth quarter 2014 over the fourth quarter last year and drove 81% of the digital commerce growth.

Michaels crafts a stronger omnichannel strategy for 2015

Michaels is looking to further bolster its omnichannel strategy in 2015 after reporting an 18% profit jump in the fourth quarter.

The CEO for the Michaels Cos., Chuck Rubin, said: "We achieved solid performance across categories and geographies as our customers recognized and responded to the improvements that we have put in place. As we look to fiscal 2015, we will continue to build upon our vision 2020 strategy to deliver a strong in-store and online shopping experience, increase our market share and expand our customer base."
Surf retailer Tilly's rides sales wave in Q4

Marketing and a strong assortment helped teen retailer Tilly’s report an increase in profits and same store sales in the fourth quarter.

Revenues increased 9.2% from last year to $152.82 million. Analysts expected revenues of $151.43 million. The company said same store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 2.9% from the corresponding period in 2013.
Smart & Final eyes more expansion

Value-oriented food retailer Smart & Final Stores Inc. plans to accelerate its expansion plans after posting double-digit sales growth in the fourth quarter.
Amazon says, 'skip trip to store'

The national rollout of Amazon.com's one-hour delivery service has begun with the addition of two major east coast urban areas.
Lowe's offers to spruce up '10 bleakest cities'

Lowe’s has come up with a way to put spring in the step of residents who live in the U.S. cities hardest hit by winter: a makeover.

Lowe's has announced that the company will be deploying Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers to visit the "10 Bleakest Cities of 2015" to complete makeover projects that have been neglected or delayed because of extreme winter conditions. Volunteers will complete projects such as painting, landscaping, creating outdoor rooms and adding curb appeal throughout the spring season.
Report: Toys 'R' Us shutting down in Times Square

Time may be running out for Toys "R" Us shoppers to ride the Ferris wheel at the retailer's flagship store in Time Square.

Toys "R" Us will not be renewing the lease of its Manhattan flagship, according to various reports. The lease for the massive 110,000-sq.-ft. retail space, at 1514 -1530 Broadway, between 44th and 45th Streets, is set to expire at the end of January.
Dollar General elevates counsel to EVP

Just two years after starting the job, the general counsel at Dollar General has been promoted to executive vice president.
Babies 'R' Us has a new head merchant

Toys “R” Us Inc. has named a new head merchant to drive product innovation and differentiation at the company’s Babies “R” Us stores.

Reg McLay has been named senior vice president, Babies “R” Us Business, effective March 30. In this role, McLay will lead the Babies “R” Us merchandising team in the U.S. He will report to Hank Mullany, president of Toys “R” Us, U.S.
Facebook makes foray into payments

Facebook has become the latest tech powerhouse to get into the payments game by adding a feature to its Messenger app that lets users send money the same way they would a send text.

The news follows similar moves by Apple, Samsung and Google, all of whom announced new payment offerings over the past few months.
Walmart calls on suppliers to make domestic difference

Walmart vice president of U.S. manufacturing Cindi Marsiglio shared new details about a first-of-its-kind event planned for early July in Northwest Arkansas to advance the retailer’s $250 billion domestic sourcing agenda.

During a fast-paced presentation Thursday morning organized by a group called Doing Business in Bentonville, Marsiglio shared wide-ranging insights regarding the company’s 10 year, $250 billion domestic sourcing commitment unveiled in January 2013.