Content about e - commerce

September 27, 2011
Castro-Wright retirement opens door for new social commerce leadership

Wal-Mart Stores is in search of a new head of its global e-commerce and global sourcing businesses, now that Eduardo Castro-Wright announced his retirement effective July 1, 2012.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores is in search of a new head of its global e-commerce and global sourcing businesses, now that Eduardo Castro-Wright announced his retirement effective July 1, 2012. Walmart said it intends to name new leadership for these businesses by the end of January, after which Castro-Wright will assist in the transition.

September 21, 2011
Kline report: Beauty sales through alternative channels experiencing strong double-digit growth

Sales of cosmetics and toiletries through alternate channels have soared, growing by nearly $1 billion since 2005, according to consulting and research firm Kline & Co., and more double-digit growth is expected as consumers increasingly opt for the convenience of at-home shopping to meet their beauty needs.

PARSIPPANY, N.J.  — Sales of cosmetics and toiletries through alternate channels have soared, growing by nearly $1 billion since 2005, according to consulting and research firm Kline & Co., and more double-digit growth is expected as consumers increasingly opt for the convenience of at-home shopping to meet their beauty needs.
 

September 13, 2011
Retail fraud incidence down, but dollar impact escalating

For every $100 in fraudulent transactions, retailers incurred a “true” cost of $230, according to a new study released Tuesday by LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

NEW YORK — For every $100 in fraudulent transactions, retailers incurred a “true” cost of $230, according to a new study released Tuesday by LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

According to the study, retail merchants and financial institutions reported an overall decline in fraud rates and transactions while total retail sales rose. Consumers also experienced a decline in fraud losses overall but the average time it took to resolve fraud issues rose by 57% and the out-of-pocket costs of fraud rose by $244.

August 24, 2011
GNC acquires online vitamin discounter

Specialty retailer GNC on Tuesday announced it has agreed to acquire LuckyVitamin.com, an online discount retailer of branded nutritional supplements.

PITTSBURGH — Specialty retailer GNC on Tuesday announced it has agreed to acquire LuckyVitamin.com, an online discount retailer of branded nutritional supplements.

The acquisition is being funded with cash on hand, and is expected to close within 30 days, subject to customary closing conditions, GNC stated.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

August 22, 2011
CVS Caremark names new president of CVS/pharmacy

CVS Caremark has appointed former Macy’s executive Mark Cosby as president of CVS/pharmacy, effective Oct. 1.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has appointed former Macy’s executive Mark Cosby as president of CVS/pharmacy, effective Oct. 1.

Cosby most recently served as Macy’s president of stores, where he was responsible for all Macy's store operations and support functions nationwide.

August 9, 2011
New Web venture aims to bring convenience, affordability to razor market

A new e-commerce venture is aiming to revamp the razor market and save consumers money by offering a monthly subscription program whereby subscribers can receive — for about $1 a month — razor cartridges, and a compatible stick, right to their door.

LOS ANGELES — A new e-commerce venture is aiming to revamp the razor market and save consumers money by offering a monthly subscription program whereby subscribers can receive — for about $1 a month — razor cartridges and a compatible stick, right to their door.

July 5, 2011
Taking a digital dive with consumer focus

The race is on to capture tomorrow’s click-and-pick shopper — that multichannel consumer who, with a click, wields her phone as an omniscient shopping tool and then either picks her product off the shelf or picks where that product will be waiting for her, be it at a nearby store or in her mailbox. 



NEW YORK — The race is on to capture tomorrow’s click-and-pick shopper — that multichannel consumer who, with a click, wields her phone as an omniscient shopping tool and then either picks her product off the shelf or picks where that product will be waiting for her, be it at a nearby store or in her mailbox. 


June 30, 2011
Ahold appoints chief commercial development officer

Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

AMSTERDAM — Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

McCann, who most recently served as executive director for Carrefour France and a member of Carrefour's group executive board, will focus on developing new and innovative ways to serve customer needs, build customer loyalty and broaden Ahold's offering. He also will be responsible for leading Ahold's e-commerce initiatives and will strengthen the company's online business globally.

June 30, 2011
Navigating the multichannel universe with WAG

Somehow, someway, Walgreens will be the first to figure out how to beam a prescription right into a patient's medicine cabinet "Star-Trek" style. Because as sure as the chain's e-commerce president Sona Chawla is to Walgreens as Scotty is to the USS Enterprise, Walgreens is moving at light speed in monetizing and capitalizing on multichannel retailing. And the chain hasn't even got its multichannel engines really revved yet.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Somehow, someway, Walgreens will be the first to figure out how to beam a prescription right into a patient's medicine cabinet "Star-Trek" style. Because as sure as the chain's e-commerce president Sona Chawla is to Walgreens as Scotty is to the USS Enterprise, Walgreens is moving at light speed in monetizing and capitalizing on multichannel retailing. And the chain hasn't even got its multichannel engines really revved yet.

June 27, 2011
Walgreens rolls out Web pickup to Chicagoland stores

Walgreens is making online shopping more convenient for its customers with its new Web pickup service.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is making online shopping more convenient for its customers with its new Web pickup service.

June 20, 2011
Nielsen, MyWebGrocer enter alliance to measure online supermarket sales

Nielsen has teamed up with a provider of digital grocery tools and a grocery media network to offer consumer packaged goods companies a view into consumers' online supermarket purchases.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Nielsen has teamed up with a provider of digital grocery tools and a grocery media network to offer consumer packaged goods companies a view into consumers' online supermarket purchases.

June 16, 2011
Coty Beauty unveils Beyonce Pulse fragrance

Coty Beauty has announced the launch of the newest scent in the Beyonce Parfums portfolio, Beyonce Pulse, which will debut in September.

NEW YORK — Coty Beauty has announced the launch of the newest scent in the Beyonce Parfums portfolio, Beyonce Pulse, which will debut in September.

Pulse will join the Heat and Heat Rush collections. The launch of Pulse will be supported with global integrated sales and marketing activity, including a print and TV ad campaign starring Beyonce, to be featured in more than 60 countries. In addition, social media and online programs will speak to Beyonce's global fan base via e-commerce, Twitter and Facebook. Pulse TV ads will begin airing in August.

June 3, 2011
Navarro brings business online

Navarro Discount Pharmacy, a Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain and an MBF Healthcare portfolio company, has added e-commerce capabilities to its existing website. The retailer also plans to add in the fall an interactive social media retail forum, video, content on family and health-related topics, and reviews.

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy, a Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain and an MBF Healthcare portfolio company, has added e-commerce capabilities to its existing website. The retailer also plans to add in the fall an interactive social media retail forum, video, content on family and health-related topics, and reviews.

June 3, 2011
Walmart focused on serving ‘next generation’ customers

After nearly four hours of music, cheering, celebrity appearances and brief presentations by senior executives, Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke wrapped up the company’s annual shareholders’ extravaganza Friday morning by sharing five priorities associated with serving what he called the next generation of customers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — After nearly four hours of music, cheering, celebrity appearances and brief presentations by senior executives, Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke wrapped up the company’s annual shareholders’ extravaganza Friday morning by sharing five priorities associated with serving what he called the next generation of customers.

June 1, 2011
Survey: Retail industry capital spending to rise 16% in 2011

Capital spending for the retail industry is expected to increase 16% in 2011 to $42.5 billion, with all subsegments projecting double-digit percentage increases — except for mass merchants, whose growth is projected to rise 9% — according to a survey by Equity Research.

NEW YORK — Capital spending for the retail industry is expected to increase 16% in 2011 to $42.5 billion, with all subsegments projecting double-digit percentage increases — except for mass merchants, whose growth is projected to rise 9% — according to a survey by Equity Research.

Although capital spending will be up, it remains well below 2007’s peak of $56 billion. Also, unlike these peak years when a significant portion of spending was dedicated to new store growth, the emphasis will be on maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, e-commerce and remodels.

May 20, 2011
Report: More retailers using social media to attract e-commerce customers

More retailers are using such social media venues as Facebook as an entry point into their e-commerce sites, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited JCPenney and GNC as examples.

NEW YORK — More retailers are using such social media venues as Facebook as an entry point into their e-commerce sites, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited JCPenney and GNC as examples.

Facebook, the report said, creates a new shopping dynamic, enabling consumers to “share” what they’ve bought with friends in real time.

For now, the revenue stream is a trickle, WSJ reported. But expectations are that this potentially could provide a strong flow of revenue in the near future.

April 25, 2011
Are coupon ‘extremists’ bad for business?

Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


April 18, 2011
Walmart's social commerce gets 'Kosmix' intervention

Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company to grow its multichannel strategy.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company, to grow its multichannel strategy.

March 25, 2011
Walgreens thinks big with multichannel plans

Almost two-thirds of consumers live within 3 miles of a Walgreens. For the rest of America, Walgreens is using its multichannel strategy to get even closer. The deal with Drugstore.com considerably accelerates the chain's plans.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Almost two-thirds of consumers live within 3 miles of a Walgreens. For the rest of America, Walgreens is using its multichannel strategy to get even closer. The deal with Drugstore.com considerably accelerates the chain's plans.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens boosts online presence with Drugstore.com acquisition. For the full story, click here.)

March 10, 2011
Shopko renovates e-commerce site

Shopko announced that it has renovated its e-commerce site to provide a better shopping experience for its customers.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko announced that it has renovated its e-commerce site to provide a better shopping experience for its customers.

According to the company, the upgraded site features improved layout and navigation; user-friendly viewing from a variety of devices, including mobile and tablet; updated product search capabilities; and the ability to shop popular national brands from the homepage with just one click.

March 8, 2011
Peeps launches new e-commerce site

Looking to reach marshmallow chick fans everywhere, Peeps has launched an online store where consumers can purchase its signature candies and merchandise.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Looking to reach marshmallow chick fans everywhere, Peeps has launched an online store where consumers can purchase its signature candies and merchandise.

At PeepsandCompany.com, shoppers can purchase hundreds of products made by Just Born, Peeps' parent company, including Peeps, Hot Tamales and Peanut Chews.

March 2, 2011
Max-Wellness, Humana partner on new in-home healthcare solutions service

Health-and-wellness retailer Max-Wellness on Tuesday announced a series of initiatives that vastly will expand the reach of the upstart company.

WOODMERE, Ohio — Health-and-wellness retailer Max-Wellness on Tuesday announced a series of initiatives that vastly will expand the reach of the upstart company.

Among them:

February 18, 2011
THE WEB: Multichannel shoppers

There’s a reason Walgreens’ leaders are pushing so hard to upgrade communications capabilities and reach consumers through every channel, from stores and drive-through pharmacies to social media and smart phones. “Multichannel shoppers are three times more valuable to a retailer than a single-channel shopper,” president and CEO Greg Wasson said in January.


February 14, 2011
Walgreens builds up pharmacy purchasing team

Walgreens on Monday rounded out the pharmacy purchasing team led by Jeff Berkowitz, who joined Walgreens in the fall as SVP pharmaceutical development and market access. The team reporting to Berkowitz includes Walgreen veterans Frank DeStefano, Mike Bleser and Mike Allen, as well as newcomers Jeff Foreman and Gary Gleeson.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday rounded out the pharmacy purchasing team led by Jeff Berkowitz, who joined Walgreens in the fall as SVP pharmaceutical development and market access. The team reporting to Berkowitz includes Walgreen veterans Frank DeStefano, Mike Bleser and Mike Allen, as well as newcomers Jeff Foreman and Gary Gleeson.

Following are the responsibilities each will be covering:

December 27, 2010
SpendingPulse: Holiday 2010 e-commerce up in double digits

Between Oct. 31 and Dec. 24, consumers spent more than $36.4 billion online — a 15.4% increase over 2009, according to SpendingPulse estimates.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales, announced results for e-commerce sales for the 2010 holiday shopping season. During the period ranging from Oct. 31 to Dec. 24, consumers spent $36.4 billion online, a 15.4% increase compared with the same period in 2009, according to SpendingPulse estimates.