News

Report: Amazon pilots e-commerce sites with universities
Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly piloting co-branded e-commerce sites with three universities. According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon is partnering with Purdue University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of California Davis to operate the sites, which sell textbooks and T-shirts as well as other items available on Amazon.com.
H&M to open 400 stores and launch beauty brand in 2015
New York -- Swedish fast-fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) is in full expansion mode. Along with reporting a 17% increase in fiscal 2014 profits, the company said it plans to open 400 stores in 2015, with most of the openings in the United States and China. It will also enter several new markets, including India and South Africa.

In other news, H&M is launching a new beauty concept, H&M Beauty, with an initial debut in about 900 stores and online, starting in fall 2015.

NRF raises $1.2M for retail's next generation

Hundreds of retail industry power players and leaders helped the National Retail Federation raise $1.2 million for student scholarships at a gala in New York City.
Amazon delivers bigger-than-expected Q4 profit

New York -- Amazon reported higher-than-expected profit for its fourth quarter, fueled by growth of its Prime memberships and holiday shoppers, even as its sales came in below forecasts. It’s a reverse for the e-commerce giant, which has typically sacrificed profits for rapidly-growing sales.

For the fourth quarter, net income totaled $214 million, down from $239 million in the year-ago period, but better than analysts had expected. Sales rose 15% to $29.3 billion, lower than the expected $29.7 billion.
Sears a surprise winner in social media

It may be hard to believe (considering its financial troubles), but Sears was the most popular U.S. department store on Facebook during the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new study.

The data also show that Walmart.com was the most popular mass merchant store site.
Kohl's invests in kids and a 5K

Kohl’s rolled out two omnichannel campaigns in January underscoring the company’s stated focus on giving back to the community.

The company says it will award $400,000 in scholarships and prizes to more than 2,500 students who have made a positive impact on their communities. Nominations for kids ages 6 to 18 will be accepted until March 13 at kohlskids.com and in stores.
Albertsons-Safeway merger officially closes

Boise, Idaho - Albertsons LLC and Safeway Inc. have completed their proposed merger, ending a nearly year-long process that began in March 2014. AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertson's and New Albertson's, Inc., will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway.

The merger will create a diversified network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
An i-popping Q1 for Apple

After seeing Apple’s first quarter sales, it’s no wonder more retailers are adopting a mobile-first mindset.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company reported a far better-than-expected 29.5% jump in quarterly revenue, driven by record sales of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smartphones in the holiday shopping season and strong sales in China.
4 reasons why Bitcoin is better

While the monetary value of Bitcoin has had its ups and downs (and will likely continue to in the near future), the technological value and the transactional advantages of using the digital currency remain reliable and increasingly promising.
More 'green' accolades for Kroger

The Kroger Co. is getting more accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this time for its efforts to reduce food waste.