News

Overall economic growth in Europe is slower than in the U.S., but the opposite is true when it comes to e-commerce sales, according to figures published by Internet Retailer.
 
U.S. e-commerce sales grew 15.9% to $225.54 billion in 2012 from $194.61 billion the prior year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce while the Centre for Retail Research in the U.K. said European e-commerce sales increased 16.6% to $302.2 billion from 260.4 billion.

Reduced landfill waste, fewer accidents and increased sales from environmentally friendly products were among the accomplishments Kimberly-Clark touted in its 10th annual sustainability report.

The company’s report, a comprehensive overview progress against its sustainability and corporate responsibility efforts, highlights significant developments in key areas of people, planet and products. Kimberly-Clark manufacturers some of the worlds best known brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in May 2012 vs. May 2013 and noticed some common overall trends across top retail chains. While looking at the data in May 2012 compared to May 2013, we see interesting changes that came from Toys "R" Us. Their circular suggests a switch in advertising strategy. Their ad blocks per page decreased 10% while ad blocks per circular increased 79.1%. Also, the total number of circular pages increased by 44.4%.

An astonishing 41% first quarter same store sales increase at Restoration Hardware propelled the company to significantly improved profitability and made the specialty retailer an increasingly desirable tenant.

Corte Madera, Calif.  -- Restoration Hardware reported record financial results during the first quarter of fiscal 2013, including a net income of $2.3 million compared to a net loss of $1.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The company also named Richard Harvey, who spent 30 years as an executive at Williams-Sonoma, most recently as president of Williams-Sonoma brand, as chief merchandising officer of its RH Kitchen and Tableware line.

DENVER — ShopAtHome.com, a coupon and cash back search engine used by more than 19 million consumers each month, has upgraded its tablet app to address the online shopping needs of a fast-growing number of tablet users.

The updated tablet app for iOS and Android provides a personalized shopping and savings experience based on a consumer's previous behavior.

Kraft foods split its grocery division into two units – meals and desserts and enhancers and snack nuts – to reduce complexity and improve focus on brand building.

According to the company, the new, standalone business units will allow for even greater focus on brand-building activities while reducing the complexity of managing a portfolio with many distinct brands and product categories.

NEW YORK — New York City's own Empire State Building is joining the 37th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks festivities. The building will be the site of a choreographed LED tower lights show designed to mirror the explosive finale of the nation’s largest pyrotechnic display.