News

Report: Mobile commerce to skyrocket
New York -- Global mobile commerce is set to explode, according to Coupofy.com, a Seattle-based database of online coupon codes.
The company predicts global mobile commerce will grow 42% annually between 2013 and 2016, compared to 13% for regular e-commerce. Mobile shoppers will spend an estimated $600 billion in 2018, up from $200 billion in 2014.

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Abercrombie swings to loss in Q2 but still tops Street
New Albany, Ohio – Efforts to change its merchandising and branding paid dividends at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported smaller net loss and revenue decline than expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million, from $890.6 million.

West Elm to open its first in-store shop — in London

New York – In a first, West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma subsidiary, will make its products available outside of the brand’s own stores and website.

The Williams-Sonoma subsidiary said it has entered into a partnership with U.K. department store retailer John Lewis to open an in-store shop in the newly renovated John Lewis flagship on Oxford Street in London. The shop will open on Sept. 3, following the launch of a branded West Elm shop online at Johnlewis.com.
JCPenney touts its green successes

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is in the green again – at least when it comes to taking its sustainability responsibilities very seriously.
Study: Food nourishes digital coupon growth

Minneapolis - The number of digitally distributed coupons for CPG brands on key websites received nourishment from food shoppers in the first half of 2015.

Overall CPG digital coupon distribution increased by 17%, according to analysis conducted by Kantar Media.

The increase was attributable primarily to food areas. Within food, the dry grocery area, which is historically the largest area in digitally distributed coupons, accounted for much of the growth.
Macy's offers shoppers a free personal stylist

Macy's is looking to woo customers with an offer that no fashion-loving shopper can refuse: the use of a free personal stylist.

This month, Macy’s is expanding the personal shopping experience at stores with the launch of My Stylist@Macy’s, a free service at select Macy’s stores nationwide, dedicated to finding the perfect fashions for every customer from coast-to-coast. In addition to style consultations, the experts at My Stylist@Macy’s will guide shoppers in selecting the best gifts for friends and family, for all occasions.
Walgreens manages energy expenses

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is taking a smart approach to energy expense management.

The retailer expanded its use of EnerNOC's energy intelligence software to manage its utility bills at more than 8,300 sites across the U.S.
Kate Upton ads a boon for Express?

Express Inc. says improved marketing and merchandising measures led to strong profit and revenue performance in the second quarter.

Net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.

Net sales increased 11% to $535.58 million from $481.42 million. Same-store sales rose 7% and e-commerce sales grew 21%.
Another online jeweler makes the leap

New York -- Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York, has nabbed yet another online jewelry company looking to test brick-and-mortar.
Chico’s Q2 tops forecast; to sell one of its divisions

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. on Wednesday released better-than-expected second quarter sales and earnings and also announced it was selling off its Boston Proper specialty women’s apparel business.

Earlier this year, the retailer launched a turnaround plan that includes closing some 120 stores through February 2017, cutting jobs and reducing spending.