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.
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.

Hollywood lures marketing chief from Internet giant

Sunnyvale, Calif. – The marketing head of a major Internet company has heard the siren call of Hollywood. Kathy Savitt, chief marketing officer of Yahoo, is joining Burbank, California-based movie and TV production studio STX Entertainment in October as president of digital business.

Savitt, who previously served as VP of communications and Amazon.com and chief marketing officer at American Eagle Outfitters, and also founded now defunct social commerce site Lockerz, had been in charge of marketing at Yahoo for three years.
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.
Rite Aid gives $1.3M toward educating children of vets

Rite Aid associates plan to honor 274 students who have been named recipients of Folds of Honor educational scholarships provided by the Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program.
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.
Christopher and Banks misfires during summer

A “merchandising misstep” took its toll on Christopher & Banks in its second quarter as sales decreased more than expected.
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.
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.
Global retail event names ‘Retailer of the Year’

New York -- Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, was named “Retailer of the Year” at the World Retail Awards gala dinner in Rome, Italy.