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Back in the days before retailers like Gap, J. Crew or American Outfitters, there were guys like L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch. In Freeport, Maine, L.L. Bean found success without consumer research, focus groups or fashionistas...

Saks Fifth Avenue is piloting an iPod-based mobile point-of-sale solution in two of its OFF 5TH outlet stores, with plans for a wider rollout to additional outlet and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in spring 2012.

Understanding Social: An Infographic of a New Business Idea Contributor 4 Blinks on What is A Social Business? Haydn Shaughnessy Contributor What have meme stars like Tim Tebow and Toby Turner (aka Tobuscus) got to do with economic growth? They are an...

The five-store Home Depot pilot of PayPal's point-of-sale solution that began in Q4 2011 will expand to 51 stores this week, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. John Donahoe, CEO of PayPal owner eBay, promised even more expansion later this year, both with Home Depot and in other national retailers' stores. "PayPal customers will be able to easily and quickly pay for purchases in the [pilot stores] by either swiping their PayPal card, or simply entering their mobile phone number and PIN," said Donahoe during a recent conference call. "You can shop without your wallet, without your credit

GazetteXtraJANESVILLE In an effort to prop up an underperforming Lab Safety Supply, company officials said Wednesday they will combine the business with another that operates warehouses across the country. What that means for employment levels at one of Janesville's largest employers is unclear. Officials of Chicago-based W.W. Grainger, which bought Lab Safety Supply in 1992, told industry and financial analysts Wednesday that the company will combine its Lab Safety Supply and Grainger Industrial Supply businesses. While it doesn't manufacture anything, Lab Safety markets and distributes safety and other products to more than 800,000 customers in North America through

5:48 PM ET) -- A California judge on Thursday refused to toss American Apparel Inc. CEO Dov Charney's breach of contract suit claiming Koi Suwannagate — a fashion designer and a former love interest — has refused to repay $500,000 he allegedly lent her to help support her business. Superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel cited technical flaws in Suwannagate's bid to have the suit shot down and also said that her attorney's argument — that Charney's claims were time barred under the terms of the lending agreements — lacked...

PLANO, Texas — Another former Apple executive has joined the ranks at JCPenney. The company announced Wednesday that Kristen Blum, a former director of supply chain and International retail for Apple Inc., has been named EVP and chief technology officer, effective Jan. 23. Blum reports to COO Mike Kramer, and has responsibility for the company's JCP.com business and information technology systems. Kramer said, "The transformation underway at JCPenney relies heavily on having the best-performing, most effective technology to support our critical business functions and enhance our shopping experience. We are fortunate to have a solid technological infrastructure in place,

Home Depot is continuing to prove that mobile is a prime part of its digital strategy by running commerce-enabled mobile ads. The retailer is running a mobile ad campaign to promote its line of floor products and lead consumers to a commerce-enabled mobile site. The ads are running within Pandora's iPhone application.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it has temporarily suspended its efforts to sell its credit card receivables portfolio. The company said it remains committed to selling the portfolio on appropriate terms, but based on discussions with potential partners the company has determined that it is not in its best interests to finalize a transaction at this time. Later in 2012, the company said it expects to re-engage in discussions with a limited number of potential partners, and expects to be well-positioned to streamline those conversations based on the groundwork established in its 2011 efforts. Target also announced that it

Consumers have spoken: Amazon.com has the best customer service among U.S. retailers, according to a survey of thousands of shoppers. In a survey of 9,374 shoppers, Amazon.com took top honors in the seventh annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers' Choice survey, conducted by BIGinsight.