News

Expenses reduce Aaron’s net income; plans 142 new stores over next several years
Atlanta –- Aaron’s Inc.reported that its third quarter income fell 55% to $9.3 million, from $21.1 million the same quarter the prior year, amid expenses related to store closings, corporate realignment, executive retirements, the resolution of a regulatory investigation and the purchase of Progressive Finance Holdings. Revenues increased 32% to $707.6 million compared to $537.2 million, aided by the addition of Progressive revenue.
Store of the Week: Bond No. 9, New York City
Bond No. 9 raises the bar for fragrance retailers with its redesigned flagship in downtown Manhattan. The space is transformed with glittering chandeliers, smoky mirrors and splashes of color. Read More

Clone of Weather Trends: October 2014

For the U.S. as a whole, temperatures will trend similar to last year and below normal, but there will be a split in trends across the nation with warmer temperatures in the West and cooler temperatures in the more densely populated East. The month will begin with warm weather across much of the nation and that will continue into the Columbus Day weekend in the East before turning cooler. The Northwest region will trend wetter than last year, but it still remains drier than normal, while the Southwest will be wetter than last year and normal.
Survey: Customers embrace mobile, seek improvements

Teaneck, N.J. –- Consumers have embraced the use of mobile devices for shopping, but are less than fully satisfied with the current mobile retail experience. According to a new survey of more than 5,000 shoppers in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and China from IT services and consulting firm Cognizant, 91% of shoppers have a mobile device, 78% have researched products on a mobile device before purchasing in the last year, and 42% of shoppers reported regularly researching products on a mobile device.
Digital River charts new e-commerce course

E-commerce solutions provider Digital River said it agreed to be acquired by an investor group led by Siris Capital Group in a deal valued at $840 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Siris will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Digital River for $26 a share, a 50% premium over the company’s closing price on Oct. 23.
Gigwalk enters enterprise space

Crowd-sourced services provider Gigwalk has blending location-based mobile technology with new analytics capabilities to create Gigwalk Enterprise.

The company contends the new offering will help organization maximize the effectiveness of their workforce from anywhere in real time. Gigwalk said its enterprise offering will allow brands to mobilize internal teams to collect and activate data to mend issues in retail execution, as well as improve collaboration with retailers and supply chain partners to drive in-store sales.
PayPal Canada launches Passport small business tool

Toronto -- PayPal Canada is launching PassPort, a website designed to help small businesses sell internationally. On the PassPort website, entrepreneurs can find export market specific guidance on seasonal sales peaks including holidays and events; cultural customs, taboos and trends; shipping and distribution logistics; currency exchange and fees; and customs procedures and taxes.
Ron Johnson launching start-up that helps online shoppers choose products

New York -- The cat is finally out of the bag. Former J.C. Penney CEO and Apple retail head Ron Johnson confirmed that he is launching a new company—but it’s not a tech-gadget delivery service as was widely rumored. Instead, the new initiative, set to launch in 2015, is designed to help online hoppers make the right product choices.
Digital Social Retail launches convergence platform for retail

Paris, France -- Digital Social Retail, a division of digital marketing agency Holosfind, is launching a digital convergence platform for the retail industry, integrating innovative technology and centralized management, for real-time streaming of audio and video content and personalized geolocation messaging. After 18 months of development and the signing of a joint venture for the acquisition of technology with the Israeli company Media TV, Digital Social Retail has introduced the Social Retail convergence platform.
PetSmart Canada to help fund pet therapy program for kids

PetSmart has partnered with SickKids Foundation to assist with funding the pet therapy program at The Hospital for Sick Children in Canada. The program is designed to provide thousands of patients with access to canine comfort teams.

PetSmart Paws for Hope at SickKids kicked off yesterday with a commitment of $500,000 over the next five years. In addition to the pet therapy program, funds will support the Possibilities Fund which helps support the most urgent needs of the hospital as they arise. This is the first sponsorship of its kind for PetSmart in Canada.