Content about Electronics

SEATTLE — Amazon on Thursday reported a net sales increase of 22% to $16.1 billion for its first quarter ended March 31. Of that, $9.4 billion was sourced from the North American market. North American sales of electronics, health and beauty products, among other merchandise, reached $6.1 billion for the quarter, up 28.4%. 

During a conference call with analysts, Amazon CEO Tom Szkutak declined to confirm rumors that Amazon is investing in additional refrigeration equipment across its fulfillment center footprint with plans to expand AmazonFresh. 

Technology has certainly changed the landscape of the drug channel's general merchandise department. As categories shift, electronic accessories have become a crucial addition to the mix.

Nearly 40% of all consumer electronic spending in 2012 was on tablets, smartphones, laptops and notebooks, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. "Accessories for these products are the growth drivers for the category," said Chris Ely, a spokesperson for the organization. "They also are margin makers."

TROY, Mich. — Five regional retailers — including mass-merchandisers Meijer and Fred Meyer — are selling a mobile point-of-sale credit card processing system compatible with most smartphones and tablets in their stores.

As many as 57% of consumers report using their smart device to make a purchasing decision at the shelf, according to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers. Of those, 16% use their smart device for pharmacy-related items, including prescriptions and OTCs — making pharmacy products the second-largest category (behind electronics and appliances).

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SAN FRANCISCO — A new technology will allow standard point-of-sale laser scanners to scan coupons, loyalty cards and gift cards on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone without any changes to existing technology.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is distributing extra points to members of its loyalty program to mitigate the effects of high living costs, the retailer said Friday.

The mass merchandise retail chain said it would distribute more than $150 million worth of points to Shop Your Way Rewards members across the country, allowing them to redeem the extra points through March 7 on such items as groceries, clothing, electronics and home goods.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — SoloHealth founder and CEO Bart Foster has joined the Dell Innovators Credit Fund Founders Club, which computer manufacturer Dell created for what it regards as innovative business leaders, SoloHealth said.

RadioShack on Thursday evening tapped Joe Magnacca, who played a key role in making Walgreens' front-end transformation pop, to be the small-box electronics retailer's chief executive. On Friday morning, RadioShack's shares jumped as Wall Street absorbed the news. 

PALO ALTO, Calif. — HP this week announced that customers can now print directly from their smartphone or tablet to more than 8,000 Walgreens stores through the HP Public Print Locations network.

By downloading the free HP ePrint Service iPhone app, users can order prints of their photos and pick those photos up from a local Walgreens in as little as an hour.

LAS VEGAS — Panasonic, a worldwide leader in consumer electronics technology, announced the Panasonic Breakfast Collection from the floor of the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show. The company will offer three small kitchen appliances: a toaster, coffee maker and kettle, each featuring bold aesthetics.

NEW YORK — Walt Disney Animation Studios announced the debut of the hit arcade-game-hopping adventure “Wreck-It Ralph." Disney will release an HD digital and HD digital 3D version early on February 12, 2013, a company first. Then on March 5, the company will broaden the release to the four-disc Blu-ray combo pack, two-disc Blu-ray combo pack, DVD, SD digital and On-Demand.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge — a leading designer of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories — on Tuesday launched an expanded line of cases for iPhone 5. The new cases are now available at MEdgeStore.com, as well as at nationwide retailers, including Best Buy, Target and Staples.