News

Office Depot Inc. is focusing on attracting de-cluttering consumers as the retailer awaits regulatory approval of its merger with Staples.

Office Depot announced it is launching Perch by Urbio, a new line of organization products for the home or office, available now in both Office Depot and OfficeMax retail locations and online at officedepot.com.

Skechers is teaming up with a U.S. toymaker to execute an omnichannel launch of a new line of dolls based on the retailer's most popular character.

The initial launch of the Twinkle Toes line includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5-inches in height dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes that complement their bright personalities.

New York — Macy’s is feeling the heat — from an activist investor and Donald Trump.

Activist investor Starboard Value wants the department store giant to follow the example set by such other retailers and Sears Holdings and Hudsons Bay Company and capitalize on its real estate holdings by spinning them off into a new investment vehicle. 

Starboard claims the move would double Macy’s stock value, Fortune reported. For more click here.

Menlo Park, Calif. – Facebook is increasing its buy-in for the high-stakes poker game of social commerce.

According to BuzzFeed, Facebook has begun piloting online storefronts located within the pages of a number of retailers.

Seattle – Amazon.com may be preparing a pre-emptive strike against a rival e-commerce platform before it even officially takes off.

According to CNBC, Piper Jaffray Internet analyst Gene Munster says Amazon s considering a purchase of Jet.com, a subscription-based e-commerce site that is currently in beta and set to officially launch next week.

Munster said that Jet.com does a good job in gamifying the online shopping process and in selling fast-moving consumer goods, two things Amazon has not historically done well.

New York — The former head merchant for Staples and former CEO of Borders has been named president and CEO of eBags Inc.

The eBags board of directors appointed Mike Edwards as president, CEO and member of the board of directors effective immediately. He also joins the company as a new investor.

Edwards most recently held the position of executive VP of global merchandising for Staples Inc. 

New York — C. Wonder, which shuttered all its stores and filed Chapter 11 early this year, is getting a second chance—sort of.

Xcel Brands has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the C. Wonder brand from Burch Acquisition LLC. The deal gives Xcel  the rights to thr C. Wonder trademarks, related designs and other intellectual property rights.

 The closing of the acquisition is subject to board approval

Seattle — Ever wondered what a 15-story-tall Instagram post would look like? Well, thanks to Nordstrom, the wait is over.

Chicago – It appears that Groupon will soon be delivering a whole new service to its customers.

The online discount provider has acquired OrderUp, an on-demand online and mobile food ordering and delivery service operating in nearly 40 markets across the United States.

Paired with Groupon’s approximately 25 million active North America customers, the deal creates an online and mobile food ordering marketplace of significant size and scale.

Seoul, Korea – Samsung is testing a mobile wallet solution, but it may be a while before U.S. consumers get to join in the fun.

The consumer electronics giant announced in a blog posting that Korean consumers can now use a beta version of its Samsung Pay mobile payment application.