News

Visitors to Walmart.com increased in December compared with the prior year, but decelerated from a record performance in November, according to the online measurement firm comScore.

Walmart had 55.8 million unique visitors in December, which was a pretty good dip from the 58.5 million visitors comScore data shows the company had in November. However, the December figure was still well above December the prior year when comScore showed Walmart.com with 51.4 million visitors.

NEW YORK — The nation’s apparel retailers reported mixed results for January as shoppers remain cautious about spending in the uncertain economy.

“It was as tough month as retailers battled holiday hangover, lack of incentive to shop and mild winter that killed outerwear clearance," said Ken Perkins, president of RetailMetrics Inc., in a Reuters report.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% November-January sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The company announced the appointment Thursday and said Edward would served as EVP U.S. retail merchandising reporting to Demos Parneros, president of U.S. retail for Staples. 

Mobile marketing has been the “next big thing” long enough that it almost seems like old news. Mobile advertising is projected to reach $55 billion in 2012, and has the distinction of being the fastest medium to reach $1 billion in spending; it took only five years, versus 16 years for the Internet to hit that level of investment.

Lowe's has announced that it will partner with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in order to launch a program to educate and train Lowe's employees who specialize in interior kitchen and bath projects.

Because of this membership and training program, Lowe's employees who work in the kitchen cabinets, countertops and fashion plumbing departments and as interior project specialists will have the opportunity to earn NKBA certifications.

New York City -- The nation’s discount chains reported solid results for January, with Target Corp., TJX Cos., and Costco Wholesale Corp. all reporting gains above expectations. Overall, discounters reported stronger results than department stores, which appeared to take a greater hit due to the unseasonably warm weather and heavy promotions.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% Nov.-Jan. sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Fred Meyer's jewelry retail subsidiaries, Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers, which make up the third-largest fine jewelry retailer in the United States, have announced the launch of the Fredmeyerjewelers.com and Littmanjewelers.com mobile websites, optimized for mobile devices including iPhone and Android smartphones.

Philadelphia -- The Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack, has agreed to be taken private by private equity firm The Gores Group for about $791 million. The total transaction, including debt, is valued at about $1 billion.

Under the terms of the buyout, the Los Angeles-based Gores Group will pay Pep Boys shareholders $15 a share, 24% above the closing price on Friday.