News

Chicago – Mobile is the most popular technology for e-commerce retailers to make a significant investment in. According to the 14th Annual Merchant Survey from The E-Tailing Group, 42% of respondents have made significant investments in mobile optimization.

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators reported a 7.1% decline in same-store sales and reduced its outlook for new store openings and earnings in a business update for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Net sales for the quarter grew 2.3% to $263.1 million, from $257.1 million in the second quarter of 2013, well below Wall Street estimates of $303 million.

Brentwood, Tenn. – Tractor Supply Co. reported sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 8.8% to $1.58 billion, from $1.46 billion in second quarter 2013. This figure was slightly below consensus analyst estimates of $1.6 billion.

San Jose, Calif. - For the month of June, soccer-related searches across the U.S. sites of eight international sporting goods and apparel retailers increased by 280%, compared to May. According to analysis from SLI Systems, there were more than 2.2 million U.S. soccer-related product searches from these eight e-commerce sites alone, with a corresponding boost in online shopping behavior during June for products including soccer cleats, balls, shin guards, gloves and other equipment.

San Diego - Also Known As Codes (AKA Codes) has rolled out its new website featuring unique coupon codes and online deals for men's and women's shoes, appliances and home furnishings. The website's staff also searches the Internet for sales and promotions.

AKA Codes is connected with various online retailers and operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Thus already discounted prices can further be reduced with one of the website's coupon codes.

New York -- American Apparel Inc. has reached an agreement with its largest shareholders that will bolster its financial situation, remake its board, and keep the retailer’s manufacturing in the United States.

Westlake Village, Calif. -- Hhgregg ranks highest in appliance retailer customer satisfaction, followed by Lowe’s, according to the J.D. Power 2014 Appliance Retailer Satisfaction Study. The survey found that a knowledgeable sales staff providing a prompt, courteous and engaging customer service experience helps drive satisfaction with home appliance retailer.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings is extending its Shop Your Way membership program with a major expansion of its rewards program with the addition of more than 50 brand-name partners. Once the exclusive membership program of Sears, Kmart and Lands' End, Shop Your Way will not include more partners in more categories.

Dallas -- The Container Store has made POP!, its customer loyalty and engagement, available in its 66 existing stores and on its website.

“Our aim is to make POP! a simple, relevant and engaging program for our customers to help us deepen their relationship with our brand and reward them for their devotion to The Container Store,” said Melissa Reiff, president & COO of The Container Store.

San Francisco - Shopper traffic declined 9% in June, compared to the same month the previous year, as vacations, holidays, and record-breaking World Cup viewership cannibalized time spent on shopping-related activities. According to data from in-store analytics provider Euclid, despite the reduced traffic, high levels of consumer confidence boosted shoppers’ spending habits with .2% growth year-over-year in general merchandise, apparel, furniture and other (GAFO) retail sales