Belk extends eBay partnership

Belk Inc. has renewed its agreement with eBay Enterprise to manage multi-site customer support.

Belk first partnered with eBay Enterprise in 2008 with the launch of Belk.com. Since then, Belk has increased its online business significantly and eBay Enterprise has continued to support that growth by providing customer sales and service solutions through various contact channels.

“We pride ourselves on providing an excellent shopping experience and unparalleled customer service,” said Ivy Chin, Belk’s SVP of e-commerce. “eBay Enterprise has exemplified our Southern hospitality motto and has helped us drive customer satisfaction over the years.”

In the third quarter, months after announcing a major upgrade in its e-commerce capabilities, Belk reported that its online sales grew 46%. The company said total sales for the 13-week period were $859.5 million, or 0.1% below the prior-year period. Same store sales were down 0.8%. Year-to-date sales increased 0.2 % to $2.72 billion compared to the same 39-week period last year. Same store sales declined 0.1%, while e-commerce sales grew 44% for the period.

N.C.-based Belk Inc. is the nation's largest family owned and operated department store company with 299 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states.