News

Sephora drives digital gifting revenue with CashStar
Portland -- Sephora has achieved an eight-times faster growth rate with its digital gifting revenue since deploying a prepaid commerce solution from CashStar. The beauty retailer has also seen a 51% redemption rate within the first month of activation, and a 30% higher initial purchase value compared to plastic gift cards, since implementing CashStar Commerce.
Amazon targets early adopters with new 'store'
Amazon.com is appealing to early adopters with the launch of a new "store" called Amazon Exclusives.

The company has opened a new store called Amazon Exclusives, which aims to give consumers direct access to hot, innovative products from up-and-coming brands. For now, the store will focus on electronic accessories, toys, sporting equipment and some fashion items. It will also sell some products featured on the TV program Shark Tank.

Challenges Remain at West Coast Ports Despite Labor Agreement

By Hayden Shipp, IBISWorld

Shippers, carriers, longshoremen, businesses and consumers alike can breathe a sigh of relief in light of the tentative deal the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) reached on Feb. 20.
Women-owned logo arrives on Walmart shelves

Shoppers interested in purchasing products from women-owned companies will find it easier to do so at Walmart with the introduction of a new logo and related promotional effort.
Bebe 9 pursues omnichannel with Raymark

Bordeaux, France - Bébé 9, a subsidiary of the France Maternité group, has selected Raymark's end-to-end suite of retail enterprise solutions for deployment in its 140 stores. Specifically, Bébé 9 is rolling out Raymark as its partner for an omnichannel technology overhaul aimed at centralizing operations, improving efficiency and cultivating customer relationships across e-commerce, social media and other channels.
CVS Health announces organizational changes

CVS Health is making a series of organizational changes to further drive enterprise alignment and fuel its growth strategy.

The changes include:
GameStop launches gift card exchange

Grapevine, Texas - GameStop customers can now sell select gift cards at any GameStop retail location, as well as online. This is part of an expanded offering launched online in 2014 through a partnership with gift card exchange platform Cardpool.
Swap.com expands into women's apparel

Online consignment marketplace Swap.com is expanding into women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.

Executives with Swap.com said the new women’s collection will launch with more than 25,000 items.

“The expansion into women’s apparel is not just about making it easier for our customers to buy and sell their gently loved clothes and handbags,” said Jesse Gonzalez, merchandising manager at Swap.com. “It’s also about offering the fashionable looks that our customers love, at a better deal than you can find in-stores.”
Google opens its first-ever branded retail space

New York -- Yet another online company has entered the physical retail space: Google has opened an in-store shop in Currys PC World, on Tottenham Court Road in London. It is the first time the Internet giant has opened a retail space under its own name, and two additional shops are slated to open later this year, in Currys PC World’s Fulham and Thurrock locations.
Walmart launches ‘Women Owned’ logo in stores and online

Bentonville, Ark. -- Shoppers interested in purchasing products from women-owned companies will find it easier to do so at Walmart with the introduction of a new logo and related promotional effort. The new initiative launched March 11 will see a unique logo featured on retail packaging of products from women-owned businesses, available both in-store and online.