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Chicago -- A Thursday report compiled by Reuters and published in the Chicago Tribune said that U.S. authorities are weighing whether or not to launch a wide-scale investigation of the retail industry for bribery violations. The news comes after Wal-Mart de Mexico came under scrutiny for potentially violating an anti-foreign bribery law, allegedly orchestrating bribes of $24 million to facilitate its growth in the region. Other retailers have since reported to U.S. agencies suspicions of their own potential violations, which in turn has the Justice Department and SEC considering a sweep of the entire industry, unnamed sources told Reuters.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma has promoted Julie Whalen, SVP, acting CFO, has been appointed EVP, CFO. Laura Alber, the company’s president and CEO, said, “I am delighted to announce this promotion from within our company. During her eleven years at Williams-Sonoma, including the past five months during which she served as acting CFO, Julie has demonstrated tremendous leadership and a deep understanding of our business and values. I look forward to our continued partnership as we drive the company’s growth strategies and focus on delivering on our commitments to our shareholders.” Whalen joined the company in 2001 as a

As the head of Sephora Digital, Julie Bornstein oversees the international cosmetics company's online and technological operations and strategies. For the last several years she's worked to integrate technology into the brand's physical stores and to make Sephora a force in online sales. Bornstein talked to Wired Business about the importance of offline retail in an online world and how technology can enhance the real-world retail experience.

Retail survey results released by CashStar indicate that retailers have not only recognized the importance of offering e-gifts, they have significant plans to expand these offerings this year. The vast majority of retailers believe e-gifts are a successful tool in building loyalty with their customers. Nearly half plan to improve their mobile shopping experience in time for the fast-approaching holiday season.

Online sales are soaring. State budget deficits are growing. And tax-free internet sales are once again in the spotlight. Congress is considering bills that would level the playing field by allowing states to require all online merchants doing business in that state to collect sales tax. Web retailers have largely had a free ride since a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that only merchants with a physical presence in a state are responsible for collecting sales tax.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 26, 2012-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2012. Operating cash flow was $3.22 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $3.21 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2011. Free cash flow decreased 40% to $1.10 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $1.83 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2011. Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying stock-based awards totaled 468 million on June 30, 2012, consistent with 468 million one year ago. Net sales increased 29% to $12.83 billion in the

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has hired a long-time retail marketing executive, with extensive experience in the beauty and apparel sectors to help develop the Shopko brand as it moves forward with the conversion of its newly acquired Pamida stores to the Shopko Hometown format. Nancy Altman joins the company as SVP, chief marketing officer, and will be responsible for clearly communicating the Shopko brand to the company's current and new customers and implementing cohesive marketing initiatives across multiple formats, including brick and mortar stores and the company's e-commerce site. Altman will also be responsible for overseeing public

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. has named Fabiola Arredondo to its board of directors. Arredondo has nearly 25 years of exceptional strategic and operational experience in the internet and media sectors, as well as extensive board directorship experience. She is currently the managing partner of Siempre Holdings, a Greenwich, Connecticut based private investment firm she founded in 2001. She serves on the boards of Experian plc and Rodale Inc. and has been named to the Board of Tesco plc effective February 2013. She is also presently a board trustee of Sesame Workshop and the co-chair of the National Council

J.C. Penney is changing its pricing — again. Just six months after the midpriced department store chain got rid of the hundreds of sales it offered each year in favor of everyday lower pricing, it's reversing course. On Feb. 1 J.C. Penney began using a three-tier pricing approach that called for consistently lower daily prices, month-long sales and periodic discounts on merchandise throughout the year. But starting Aug. 1, Penney will eliminate one of the monthly sales and bring back the word "clearance." 

CHICAGO – The first CityTarget opened here on Wednesday in the former Carson Pirie Scott building, now known as the Sullivan Center, at 1 South State Street. Other CityTargets opened in the Westwood section of Los Angeles and in Seattle. CityTarget represents a new format that is somewhat smaller than the chain’s regular prototype and is merchandised and laid out to meet the special needs of urban consumers. The Chicago CityTarget is a two-level store measuring about 124,000 square feet, or about 10% smaller than a typical Target. A special feature of this location is the presence of 32