News

Amazon tests crowd-sourced delivery model
The online giant is launching an Uber-like program, called Flex, that uses on-demand independent contractors to deliver Amazon packages. The service is now available only in Seattle (and only to members of Amazon’s Prime Now same-day delivery service), but the company expects to roll it out to other cities where Prime Now is offered, including Manhattan, Baltimore, Miami, Dallas, and Chicago.
Walmart continues expansion of grocery pick-up service
Walmart has extended its grocery pick up service to eight additional markets and is alluding to the possibility of a more significant roll out in the months ahead.

Home Depot honors its innovators

The big winner in The Home Depot’s innovation award program goes to a line of cordless outdoor power equipment fueled by a 58-volt battery.

The Atlanta-based retail giant says the annual award recognizes, in its words: “the most revolutionary new products that provide true benefits to consumers and the companies that exceeded expectations in sales, service and program execution.”
True Religion believes in omnichannel

Specialty apparel retailer True Religion has found something to connect the physical to the virtual. The Manhattan Beach, California-based chain, which operates about 900 stores globally, has launched an e-commerce site that links its customer experience across channels.
Old Navy exec sets sail for Ralph Lauren

Jill Stanton was named interim president of Old Navy after the top executive at Gap Inc.’s fastest growing division left the company to become CEO of Ralph Lauren.
Report: Online returns are a big problem

Retailers wondering how much of an issue e-commerce returns are may not like the answer.

According to a new infographic from returns management software provider TrueShip, E-commerce returns are both prevalent and frequently the fault of the retailer.

TrueShip data shows that about one-third of all products purchased online are returned by consumers. Of these returns, almost one-quarter (23%) are due to the wrong item being shipped. Another 22% of e-commerce returns results from a product looking and appearing different when it arrives than it did online.
Dollar General touts digital savings

Dollar General is looking to drive increased participation in its digital coupon program by featuring several enhanced benefits during the month of October.
Lucky Brand rock revival set for 2016

A strong roster of rock icons is coming to Lucky Brand stores and wholesale customers thanks to a licensing deal with Epic Rights.

Lucky Brand will create a new line of tops and headwear that feature artists represented by Epic Rights including KISS, Journey, Def Leppard, Billy Idol, The Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane and CBGB. The apparel will be sold exclusively at Lucky Brand retail and wholesale locations nationwide and online beginning in spring 2016.
Big Lots launches effort to help sick kids

Big Lots is giving customers a chance to support a cause likely to appeal to a large part of its core market: pediatric health care. Customers will have a chance to donate in-store at all 1,464 store locations and online to support Nationwide Children's Hospital. The program will run through Oct. 31 with 100% of the proceeds raised going to support Nationwide Children's.
It's all about image at eBay

Proponents of the motto “image is everything” will be pleased with a new partnership eBay Inc. is launching.

The online retail platform is teaming up with visual commerce platform Curalate to give publishers the ability to drive traffic and revenue from images sourced from Instagram.

The partnership offers Curalate Like2Buy, which allows users to directly click to purchases from Instagram images, to more than 100,000 publishers in the eBay Enterprise Affiliate Network.