News

Research Triangle, N.C. -- Christmas keeps getting earlier with each passing year, but the main challenge for online merchants stays the same.

Nearly 60% of online retailers plan to start their holiday promotions in September or sooner, and 34% of the retailers said fulfilling orders on time is their biggest challenge during the holidays, followed by adjusting to competitor activity (27%) and converting mobile traffic (19%).

On a day when his company reported its fifth straight quarter of sales declines, the CEO of Barnes & Noble sounded a positive note, telling the Wall Street Journal that the retailer is looking at a new store prototype.

San Francisco -- Come October, consumers will be able to buy clothing and other goods on their Apple TV.

In its never-ending quest to wind its way deeper into people’s homes, Apple Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a new version of its Apple TV, the set-top box device that lets viewers stream live video through such sources as Netflix and Hulu. In the most talked-about update, the device will now come with its own App Store, featuring apps for TV and video viewing, games, sports — and shopping.

New York -- Two very different retail companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Supermarket retailer Haggen filed for bankruptcy after struggling for months to digest a huge acquisition that has proved troublesome from the start. Surfing and skate apparel chain Quiksilver Inc. also sought protection, a victim of online competition, fast-fashion merchants and teens’ fickle tastes.  

Here is more information on both:

A former New York NFL star is bringing his unique sense of fashion to the men's department at JCPenney.

The retailer says it is teaming up with former N.Y. Giant and current ABC talk show host Michael Strahan (seen above with co-host Kelly Ripa) on the Collection by Michael Strahan, an exclusive brand of men's tailored clothing, dress shirts, neckwear and accessories now available in over 200 JCPenney stores and at jcpenney.com. 

New York – What’s in a name? When that name is Tiffany, as Costco discovered, potentially some hefty financial penalties.

Federal judge Laura Taylor Swain has ruled in favor of Tiffany & Co. in a suit the luxury retailer initially brought against Costco Wholesale Corp. in February 2013. The civil suit sought damages for what Tiffany said were fake “Tiffany” engagement rings Costco sold at one of its stores in Huntington Beach, California.

With Halloween still more than a month away, two of the biggest names in retail have released their lists of the hottest toys this holiday season.

Target and Toy”R”Us have both revealed their 2015 Holiday Hot Toy Lists, with everything from scooters to Star Wars to the trendiest video games.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. has renewed its exclusive ATM services agreement with Cardtronics Inc. The latest agreement, a long-term renewal, extends a relationship between the two companies that was established in 2001.

Cardtronics currently owns and operates approximately 1,800 ATMs in Target stores located in all 50 states. All Cardtronics ATMs at Target stores participate in the company's surcharge-free Allpoint Network. Banks will have a chance to participate in the Cardtronics ATM branding program at some Target stores.