News

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Revenue at eBay rose 15% to $3.4 billion for the third quarter ended Sept. 20 from the the same period last year. The company reported third quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $597 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $718 million, or 55 cents per diluted share. GAAP and non-GAAP net income were up 22% and 14%, respectively, year over year due primarily to strong top-line growth.

A funny thing happened on the way to the department store: luxury goods became accessible to consumers online and at increasingly deeply discounted prices. Thanks to a spate of discount websites offering “flash sales” or exclusive, limited-time offerings, the flash sale phenomenon has revolutionized the way consumers shop, offering an entry into the luxury market at a fraction of the price.  

SEATTLE — Another day, another toy list, this time from Amazon.com. The company has launched its 2012 holiday toy list and corresponding web page, where customers can discover hundreds of this year’s most popular and top rated toys, books, video games, electronics, movies, sporting goods and more.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — ChannelAdvisor, a provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions that enable retailers to increase global sales, has partnered with Kabbage Inc., an online provider of working capital for small businesses, to offer ChannelAdvisor customers direct access to a new source of funding in time for the 2012 holiday season.

Whiting, Ind. — An online consumer survey shows that nearly half of consumers go into brick-and-mortar stores with their smartphones to research items without buying them and then looked for the same item at a lower price online.

The 2,361-adult survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com between Sept. 18 and 20, found that 43% of smartphone and tablet owners have engaged in the practice, known as "showrooming."

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu reported a loss of $111 for its second quarter, compared with net income of $60 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Revenue fell 4.6% to $8.04 billion in the quarter ended Sept. 8, from $8.43 billion in the year-earlier quarter. The decrease in net sales was blamed on both a decline in identical-store sales and the sale of a majority of the company’s gas stations, which had contributed $158 million in revenue in the second quarter last year.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has extended its free layaway program through Dec. 16. The program, announced in September, was originally slated to end on Oct. 31.

Sam’s Club cashiers could become an endangered species if an expanded test of a payment platform at a new club in Kansas City is embraced by members.