News

Study: E-commerce looks strong in Q2
Philadelphia – U.S. e-commerce showed signs of vitality in the second quarter of 2015.

According to a new study from Monetate, conversion rates, average order value (AOV), and revenue per session all made quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year improvements.

This demonstrates a trend toward recovery compared to first quarter 2015 when there were steady declines across these key metrics.
Report: Florida Walmart stores to serve up fast-food formats
Bentonville, Ark. – Five Walmart stores in central Florida are reportedly getting ready to serve the needs of hungry customers.

Report: Kohl’s takes visionary e-commerce approach

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s took what could be called a visionary approach to promoting and selling goods from its new Lauren Conrad designer collection online.

According to Advertising Age, Kohl’s livestreamed the debut of Conrad’s latest collection at New York Fashion Week on the Periscope social media site.
Simon names location of new development

Indianapolis – Retail real estate firm Simon has announced the location for its Tulsa Premium Outlets.

The project will be built in the city of Jenks, Oklahoma. The first phase of the development will be approximately 325,000 sq. ft. and feature 80 to 90 stores. Construction in Jenks is scheduled to start in spring 2016 with an opening in summer 2017.
Kroger’s winning ways continue in Q2

Cincinnati -- For almost 12 years, Kroger has reported same-store sales growth every quarter. And they did it again Friday.

The supermarket giant reported net earnings of $433 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 5.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
Update on Quiksilver bankruptcy

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Quiksilver Inc. has got the OK on financing and on some store closures.

Quiksilver Inc. has received preliminary approval from bankruptcy court for a $175 million bankruptcy financing package. The surf apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 9.
Report: eBay to launch Amazon Prime-styled program

New York -- eBay is about to launch a shipping club that seems somewhat fashioned after Amazon Prime — but it’s not starting out in the United States.

The company will debut its shipping program in Germany, The Street reported. Called eBay Plus, it will reportedly cost 19.90 euros (about $22) a year and will allow buyers to receive certain orders within two days plus free returns.
Three dream tenants for American Dream

New York -- The long-delayed, controversial American Dream retail-entertainment destination in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has snared three high-profile tenants.

Hudson's Bay Company announced that three of its store brands — a 131,906 sq. ft. Saks Fifth Avenue, a 119,605 sq. ft. Lord & Taylor, and a 30,000-sq.-ft. Saks Off 5th — will be among the three million-sq.-ft. mega-center’s tenants. It is the first time Hudson’s Bay has housed all three of its U.S. banners in one location.
Top Kroger exec joins 99 Cents Only

In another indication of its growth aspirations, 99 Cents Only named a former high ranking Kroger executive president and CEO just months after the retailer tapped former Walmart executives to fill the head merchant and CFO roles at the 389-store retailer.
Former Sears exec returns to familiar territory

Michael McCarthy spent 28 years at Sears Holdings before leaving the company in 2011, but now he’s back in new senior level role at the Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.
A supplier with too many eggs in Target’s basket

Dependent on Target for 43% of its revenue, licensed apparel company Cherokee Global Brand saw its market value obliterated after disclosing Target would not renew a decades old relationship.
Kroger bags another impressive quarter of growth

For nearly 12 years, Kroger has reported sames-store sales growth every quarter. And they did it again Friday when they reported a jump in sales, as well as an increase in profit for the second quarter.