News

How Target will beat Amazon.com
Target.com won’t beat Amazon.com, but Target will by following three core philosophies the retailer’s top digital executive and Amazon.com alum Jason Goldberger shared with attendees at the Internet Retailer Conference and Exposition.
Michaels weaves strong profits in Q1
Irving, Texas – Net income at the Michaels Companies Inc. skyrocketed 47% to $67 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to $45 million in the same quarter a year earlier. A large drop in interest expense helped fuel strong profit growth.

Net sales climbed 2% to $1.08 billion, from $1.05 billion. Same-store sales rose 0.3%. Michaels said unfavorable weather and a strong U.S. dollar hindered sales growth.

Report: Ahead of meeting, Walmart unveils changes to come

Walmart has unveiled upcoming changes to its website, stores and employee badges ahead of today's shareholders' meeting in Bentonville, Ark.

According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Walmart execs told a meeting of employees on Wednesday that it plans to spend at least $1.5 billion in upgrades to its e-commerce sites, store design and employee name badges.
Celebration Pointe secures $125 million loan

Gainesville, Fla. - The developer of Celebration Pointe, a 225-acre mixed-used regional development located in Gainesville, Florida, has secured a $125 million construction loan for Phase I of the project. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.

“We are very pleased to have secured this key piece of our capital stack,” said Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti.
Sam's Club enters the omnichannel era

Sam's Club is looking to gain an edge over Costco by overhauling its already first-in-its-category buy online, pick up in store service to appeal to more business customers.
New PayPal privacy policy allows calls, texts

San Jose – A new privacy policy which will take effect at PayPal Inc. on July 1 will require users to allow PayPal, its affiliates and service providers to contact them at provided telephone numbers via autodialed or prerecorded call or text message. While the policy prohibits PayPal from sharing user contact information with outside third parties, contracted billing and collection companies are permitted to use customer phone numbers.
Same store sales rise at Costco in May

Costco reported a bump in U.S. same store sales for the month of May, but international comps declined.
eBay expands Valet selling service

San Jose, Calif. – The eBay Valet professional selling service will now accept high-end clothing in addition to shoes, handbags, electronics and other popular household items. eBay Valet provides features such as price estimates for potential buyers, taking professional pictures, and shipping.

eBay partnered with fashion blogger Garance Doré to officially debut the expansion of eBay Valet. Dore provided tips and tricks on what to sell and how to sell fashion items.
Neiman Marcus plans Pinterest purchases

Dallas - Neiman Marcus Group customers will be able to purchase items through the new “Buyable Pins” e-commerce service across Pinterest, including the company’s Pinterest page, later in June. Millions of pins on Pinterest will now become buyable, meaning customers will be able to purchase Neiman Marcus items they have pinned or discovered on any iOS-enabled device with a few taps.
Williams-Sonoma rolls out video checkout

Williams-Sonoma is rolling out a fast, easy and secure way to pay online that brings a whole new meaning to instant gratification.

The retailer is teaming up with Visa to launch a marketing campaign and four-part video series called “Time to Savor Summer.” The video series, launched in support of the availability of Visa Checkout on the Williams-Sonoma e-commerce site, will be “shoppable” due to YouTube’s new shoppable video technology.