News

NEW YORK — Totsy, a leading private sale site aimed at parents, has grown its membership to five million and will expand its daily deal offerings with its acquisition of Mamasource, a leading daily deal site for moms.

Headquartered in New York, Totsy is a privately held company that connects its members with essential products and brands designed for expecting moms, parents, babies and kids at sample sale prices. Mamasource is one of the largest mom focused community and commerce sites on the Internet, founded in 2005 and

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Select Kmart locations will carry apparel and accessories collections developed by pop superstars Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj in an effort to boost sales. Both collections will also be available via the ShopYourWay.com social shopping platform.

Frank McGuigan is the new EVP of operations at Transplace, a leading third party logistics provider.

McGuigan joined Transplace in 2011 as SVP of contract logistics after the fast-growing, Dallas-based company acquired SCO Logistics where McGuigan served as president and CEO.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Designer Shoe Warehouse will use VendorNet’s StoreNet Live tool to strengthen its e-commerce position by improving fulfillment for online sales.

Abilene, Kansas -- ALCO Stores and Revionics Inc. announced a multi-year partnership, which will support optimal pricing decisions throughout ALCO’s 217 stores.

Revionics Life Cycle Price Optimization solutions and Analytic Solutions will enable ALCO to design and execute regional, localized pricing initiatives, timing of markdowns, promotional pricing and analysis of customer market baskets and key volume items.

Chicago -- National retail sales increased 2.5% and foot traffic also increased 2.5% when compared with the same two months last year, according to ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter of retail foot traffic.

ShopperTrak’s initial data indicates that shoppers spent $248.8 billion during this period, which marked the third consecutive year with positive total retail sales. It also was the second holiday season of the past three with positive foot traffic changes.

GLENVIEW, Ill. —  Kraft has joined with other leading advertisers willing to plunk down several million dollars for the opportunity to air a 30 second sport promoting its MiO brand water enhancer during the Super Bowl XLVII on February 3.

By Ann Natunewicz, national manager, Retail Research, USA Retail Services Group

The outlet shopping experience has morphed from warehouse settings offering damaged and closeout merchandise to today’s centers that are designed to maximize customer flow and sell merchandise from the most exclusive international designers.