News

It’s been more than 15 years since they started ringing the death knell for brick-and-mortar retail. And although the Internet shopping base continues to grow, the in-store experience is here to stay. Even the doomsayers have quieted during recent years. There are simply too many things about in-store shopping that the online experience can’t offer.

American Apparel Inc. is the latest retailer to offer customers one-hour online delivery.

American Apparel is partnering with on-demand logistics provider Postmates to offer on-demand delivery of more than 50 core basic items in select markets within one hour. The new service will be offered in 79 of the vertical specialty retailer’s stores across 31 metropolitan areas.

Tommy Hilfiger will be inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame at the 10th Annual World Retail Congress, to be held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on April 12-14.

Hilfiger introduced his signature collection in 1985. Since then, the business has grown from a single menswear collection to a global lifestyle brand achieving over $6.7 billion in retail sales in 2014. There are over 1,400 Tommy Hilfiger stores in over 115 countries.

Specialty candy supplier Jelly Belly Candy Company is modernizing its direct-to-consumer website with help from cloud-based e-commerce technology provider Mozu.

Jelly Belly has replaced its homegrown e-commerce system with Mozu’s SaaS-based cloud commerce platform. With the Mozu platform: Jelly Belly has launched 40 new global sites, expanded organic site traffic by 21%, doubled the efficiency of website speeds, established a single platform for business-to-business, business-to-consumer and worldwide commerce, and increased mobile sales by 300%.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group announced that it has entered into an agreement with NapaStyle and its creditors to acquire the company’s assets, including intellectual property, inventory and furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Founded by celebrity chef, Michael Chiarello, NapaStyle offers handcrafted and artisanal home goods, furniture and specialty foods for decorating, entertaining, cooking, wine, garden and home enthusiasts through store, online and catalog channels.

Apparel chains focused on tweens and teens are increasingly at risk of filing for bankruptcy protection.

At least that’s the view of Michael McGrail, COO of Tiger Capital Group and a veteran retail liquidation and asset appraisal executive.

Hickory Farms is looking for new ways to grow following the operator of the company acquisition last fall by a private equity firm and the recent appointment of a CEO who spent time at RedBox and Crate & Barrel.

Amazon.com is expanding its product range yet again. This time, the e-commerce giant is entering the world of cable TV. According to TechCrunch, Amazon is launching a section of its site called “Amazon Cable Store.” Currently, Amazon Cable Store is only reselling Comcast Internet and TV services. Amazon is also offering dedicated customer service to Comcast customers who purchase services through the Cable Store.