News

Amazon.com continued to lose money during its third quarter, although considerably less than a year ago, as its sales advanced 24% to more than $17 billion.

After the market closed on Thursday, Amazon reported a net loss of $41 million, or nine cents a share, during the quarter ended September 30, versus a net loss the prior year of $274 million, or 60 cents a share. The reduced loss coupled with sales of $17. 1 billion which exceeded analysts’ estimate of $16.8 billion caused shares to surge in after hours trading.

New York – Although dads are making inroads, moms still dominate purchase decisions in most U.S, households. According to a September 2013 survey by Child's Play Communications, moms remain the major household purchasing decision maker in about 80% of families.

Other notable findings include:

Target is getting ready for the holidays with a big multichannel push that includes expanding its in-store pick-up program for products ordered online to all of its U.S. stores by Nov. 1 — a service that is now available in about half of the chain’s locations.

Target will run an ad campaign Dec. 1 through Dec. 3 that promotes deals during Cyber Monday and the rest of Cyber week.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings reported strong results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, reporting a net income increase of 17.3%, from $62.2 million to $73 million.

Revenue grew about 9%, from $621.6 million to $675.6 million. Same store sales increased approximately 6.7% in domestic company-owned stores (including GNC.com sales) in the third quarter of 2013, while in domestic franchise locations, same-store sales increased 5.9%.

The Walmart Foundation gave $2.5 million to Share Our Strength to help the hunger relief organization educate people about eating healthy on a budget.

New York -- The Millennial generation is expected to outspend Baby Boomers by 2017, yet retailers underestimate the size and purchasing power of this consumer, according to a new study by Berglass + Associates and Women’s Wear Daily.

The study, “What Happens When Millennials Get the Wallet,” found that retailers do not fully understand the needs of Millennials and are employing business strategies and tactics that do not apply to this customer.
 

Coupons.com has appointed former Safeway executive Mir Aamir as the company’s CFO and COO.

True Religion Apparel has appointed Rosella Giuliani as SVP of merchandising. In her new role, Giuliani will partner with CMO Lynne Koplin and creative director Gary Harvey to shape True Religion’s merchandising across the company’s platforms.

Giuliani will report to Koplin. Steve Horak will join the company as SVP of planning and allocation with responsibility for the brand’s product distribution, effective Nov. 4. He will report to CFO and COO Eric Bauer.