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Seattle – Amazon.com has entered into direct competition with digital payment providers Square and PayPal by releasing Amazon Local Register, a secure card reader and mobile app that allows retailers to accept credit and debit cards from a smartphone or tablet. Users create an account, purchase a $10 card reader, and download a free mobile app.

Hudson, Ohio – Travis Smith has resigned as president and CEO of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Until a replacement has been identified, Jim Kerr, executive VP and CFO, will serve as Interim CEO of the company, while continuing in his current role as CFO.

The board of directors is undertaking a comprehensive search to identify a replacement. In his role as interim CEO, Kerr will partner with Riddi Kline, executive VP of marketing and merchandising, and Tom Williams, executive VP of operations and HR, to manage the business.

Amazon launched a mobile point-of-sale solution called Amazon Local Register that gives merchants a low-cost payment acceptance method while providing it with new insights into offline commerce.

With heavy investment in its Paint Studio and a corresponding media blitz to promote it, wholesale sales at Ace Hardware Corp. jumped double digits in the second quarter.

Profitero, a leading global provider of online insights and e-commerce intelligence for retailers and brands, has appointed Raj Khathuria as VP of sales for North America.

Khathuria has more than 17 years of sales management experience. He previously led the North American sales operation for MarkMonitor, a global leader in online brand protection (acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2012), where he was responsible for growth in key vertical markets including consumer goods, luxury apparel and electronics.

Macy’s tempered its full year sales forecast after solid second quarter results and growing optimism around omnichannel initiatives weren’t enough to offset a slow start to the year.

Macy’s said sales increased 3.3% to $6.267 billion and same store sales increased 4% during the second quarter ended August 2. Excluding sales in departments licensed to third parties same store sales increase 3.4%. Profits increased to $292 million, or 80 cents a share, from $281 million, or 72 cents a share.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has appointed Jennifer Kretchmar as chief product officer and innovation bear. She will report to CEO Sharon John.

Kretchmar will lead the company's merchandising and product development teams and be responsible for product development, design, quality, sourcing, merchandising, planning and wholesale.

Walgreens is expanding its Healthcare Clinic retail locations with entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The company plans to bring 13 Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens locations to the Dallas Metroplex by the end of 2014. The first clinic opened July 28 in Southlake.
 

Target Canada is looking to improve business performance with a new set of initiatives that the company has unveiled on the heels of some leadership changes last spring, as well as a comprehensive review of its Canadian operations.

Among the initiatives, Target unveiled a new price-match policy and unveiled a long-term partnership with celebrity designer Sarah Richardson, set to launch next year. Richardson’s new line of home décor will debut exclusively at Target Canada beginning in fall 2015.

Bebida Beverage Company (BeBevCo), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation and energy products, is rolling out its flagship beverage, KOMA Unwind Liquid Relaxation, at select 7-Eleven stores in the Quad Cities.