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A greater number of online sellers are planning to offer free shipping on more products during the 2011 holiday season - 68% compared to 53% last year, according to a survey conducted by Stamps.com, a provider of Internet-based postage services. "Remaining competitive requires online sellers to be aggressive with free shipping," said Stamps.com President and CEO Ken McBride. The survey found that 54% of online sellers plan to offer the promotion on more than 50 percent of their holiday catalog - an 11% increase from last year. In addition, 52% of respondents reported their average revenue per order increased

Egg shortages were reported at some Target stores after the retailer ended its relationship with a producer accused of animal cruelty. The company scrambled yesterday to line up new suppliers before Thanksgiving.

eBay is adding a new tab to its mobile app for the iPad that enables users to shop items on eBay that are related to what they are watching on television. Users can tap the "Watch with eBay" tab on the eBay app for the iPad and type in their zip code, cable provider, channel and the television program they are currently watching. The application uses TV-show and event-specific keyword searches to surface relevant merchandise from more than 200 million listings available on the eBay marketplace. eBay said it would continue to incorporate technologies to make shopping alongside TV

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 29 fell to $26.5 million, compared with $28.8 million a year earlier. Results include costs associated with the company’s acquisition of Boston Proper. Net sales for the quarter increased 11.5% to $538.5 million, from $483 million. Same-store sales increased 3.7%. By brand, Chico's/Soma Intimates same-store sales increa

Supply chain investments by Home Depot are putting more product within customers' reach. The retailer's 19 rapid deployment centers play an important role in improving both stores' efficiency and in-stock levels.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that net income increased to $53.7 million in the third quarter, up from $35.5 million a year earlier. Sales rose 8.5% to $530.7 million, from $489.3 million. Same-store sales increased 5.2%. The shoe retailer cited strong boot sales for the performance surge. “We are confident in our strategies and continue to expect fiscal 2011 to represent a strong year of growth, and as a result we have increased our annual guidance," said Mike MacDonald president and CEO.

Target received six red and white Target bags full of petitions yesterday signed by 190,000 people to protest stores opening for Black Friday sales at midnight the morning after Thanksgiving.

New York City -- Target Corp. will sell off Zellers’ prescription customer files to other companies and start its own business from scratch once it launches Target in Canada, according to reports in The Globe and Mail. While Zellers pharmacies are money-makers, keeping them open while Target closes the stores for remodeling would be costly and complicated, according to the report. The potential suitors for the files are likely to include Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. and Katz Group Canada Ltd., the report said.

Tom Casey, who joined American Apparel in October 2010 to help the ailing company recover its financial standing, has resigned from his role as acting president just two months shy of his 15-month contract. He's the third major name to jump ship in the past two months.

A number of retailers offer coupons and special offers online, but few actually know how effective the coupons are at driving business in their stores. Tracking clickthrough or redemption rates for coupons offered on websites other than those owned by the retailer can be difficult.