aggregatedcontent

eBay reached $5 billion in mobile GMV ("gross merchandise volume") in 2011, meaning shoppers bought $5 billion in goods from eBay sellers using mobile devices. eBay is predicting it will reach $8 billion in mobile GMV in 2012. eBay CEO John Donahoe revealed the numbers during his keynote at the CEA Leaders in Technology dinner at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas last night. He said there was a disappearance of past distinctions between online and offline commerce, creating a "new normal" for retail in which consumers engage where, when and how they shop across

Interested in digital wallets, gaming or social media? You'll soon be acquainted with near field communication. It could transform the way we shop, pay, save and interact with other mobile device users and even with physical objects.

eBags.com announced it was able to reduce fourth quarter customer care expenses by 34 percent compared to the same period last year. During this same period, the company's sales increased 27 percent over last year.

Kohl's is the recipient of the People's Pick award in the Harris Poll Customer Relationship Series. The award recognizes the strength of consumers' bonds with midtier department stores and reflects their connections and future intentions.

Headline: December retail sales post an ugly number, growing just 0.1%, against expectations for a 0.4% month-over-month rise. Retail sales less autos decllined 0.2% month-over-month. Watch for revisions to these numbers. Expectations: Expectations are for a 0.4% month-over-month rise in retail sales, and a 0.4% month-over-month rise in retail sales less autos. Analysis: Consumer spending accounts for over two-thirds of the economy, and retail sales account for nearly 50% of consumer spending. So, investors watch retail sales data to better understand changes in the economy.  Retail sales

Nordstrom has redesigned its fashion rewards loyalty program to include added benefits such as complimentary services and point incentives. As part of an effort to build customer loyalty, the new program includes complimentary alterations up to $100 based on varying benefit levels, triple point days, and Nordstrom Rack point participation.

Plenty of brands, lawmakers and regulators aren't happy that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is going right ahead — despite 11th hour hearings — and opening the doors on Jan. 12 for a possible barrage of applications for new generic top-level domain names.

In an effort to drive in-store traffic, customer loyalty and Facebook likes as well as boost its brand image, Ikea is hosting an event in its stores called Bring Your Own Friends Day. The daylong event includes free meals, special discounts and gift card giveaways for customers who RSVP via Facebook. In addition, for every friend a customer invites over Facebook, the retailer will donate $1 to Save the Children, up to $50,000.

Home Depot is testing PayPal at five brick-and-mortar stores and is the first retailer to participate in a limited pilot program for PayPal's new point-of-sale technologies. Home Depot first began accepting PayPal on its website at homedepot.com a year ago. In a blog post, PayPal revealed that the pilot is currently being run in five Home Depot stores and involves a small number of PayPal employees.