E-Commerce

Gilt Groupe is expanding its flash-sales site from the U.S. into 90 countries worldwide, entering markets where the flash-sales concept originated. The membership site sells apparel for men, women and kids, as well as home decor, at close to 60 percent off retail price.

Google Catalogs has doubled its collection of catalogs to include more than 100 brands and 300 individual catalogs from brands such as Williams-Sonoma, Sephora and Nordstrom.

Way before any stockings are hung by the chimney with care, online retailers should map out a strategy that will provide a competitive edge during the tough holiday selling season. These tips for winning in the fourth quarter can be employed at any time. However they have particular significance during the holidays when performance can make or break the year.

Amazon has unveiled an augmented reality iPhone app that allows you to discover information about everyday products around you. Flow powered by Amazon lets you use your camera to find, review and buy items within the application.

Last month, Urban Outfitters drew threats of legal action from the Navajo Nation for advertising the "Navajo Hipster Panty." To avoid that potential liability, Urban Outfitters recently changed the names of all 21 of the products it had been calling "Navajo." But fellow retailer Forever 21 doesn't seem to share Urban Outfitters' concern. While a search for "Navajo" on its website turns up no results, a little digging reveals at least a half-dozen items that have the Navajo trademark in the title.

Casual Male, a retailer of men's big and tall apparel, announced the launch of DestinationXL.com, an e-commerce site offering the largest selection of clothing for big and tall men.

With national retail sales expected to increase only slightly throughout the entire holiday season, just 10 days will make or break the period for retailers, according to ShopperTrak. The week before Christmas will be especially important this year, as five of the top sales and foot traffic days will occur between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24.

In an effort to help merchants both achieve and maintain payment card industry (PCI) compliance, technologies for cardholder data security have become more prevalent. Merchants should view PCI compliance as an ongoing business requirement with continuously evolving needs and mandated changes, not just a one-time, stand-alone IT issue.

Move ahead of your competition this holiday season with the strategic insights offered in "The Ultimate Guide To Optimizing Your Website Traffic," a new e-book from Monetate, the next generation platform for website testing, targeting and personalization.

British department store Debenhams launched an augmented reality pop-up store service where shoppers can try on outfits near the U.K.’s tourist attractions. Shoppers with an iPhone or iPad 2 can use their device to scan the scene around five famous landmarks to find the store’s selection of party dresses — and once located, they can virtually try them on a picture of themselves, share and even order.