Order Fulfillment

The Home Depot plans to spend $1.3 billion on new technology and $700 million to build 36 new stores from 2013-2015, according to a report by Investors Daily. The report was based on remarks from Home Depot's Senior Vice President of Finance Ted Decker, made Tuesday at Jefferies Global Consumer Conference. Decker also said the company plans to build “new state-of-the-art distribution facilities” to leverage its stores.

For online shoppers, issues related to shipping are still not as important as ease of checkout and product variety. They still play a significant role in converting browsers into buyers, however, according to a February 2012 survey conducted by comScore. In fact, when asked what aspect of the shopping process could be improved by retailers, three of the top five responses were related to shipping. 

Would you like to receive coupons on your smartphone's digital wallet that are related to the products you're viewing on TV? Or forget the smartphone. How about buying products directly through your television using the remote control? PayPal announced it's working with television service providers to help power "television commerce," aka tcommerce. PayPal has entered into agreements with Comcast and TiVo as it tries to establish itself as a payment method for purchases made over the television. 

The Goochland County-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last December. It's asked a federal bankruptcy court judge to approve the asset sale. The auction would be held June 25. RoomStore President and CEO Stephen Giordano tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the company is being offered for sale as a whole or in parts. Bid packages were sent to potential buyers last week.

While 86 percent of consumers are satisfied with the overall experience of shopping online, retailers can improve customer satisfaction even more by making it easier for consumers to return or exchange items, according to a report presented at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition in Chicago last week. The report, Online Shopping Customer Experience Study, evaluated consumer shopping habits from pre-purchase to post-delivery. It was commissioned by UPS and based on a comScore survey of 3,100 U.S. online shoppers in February.

The iconic American retailer J.Crew and Lane Crawford, Asia 's leading designer specialty store, are excited to announce a strategic partnership, providing consumers in Asia with special access to the J.Crew women's and men's collections through Lane Crawford's retail and online stores. 

Bridgeline Digital announced that it's signed a multiyear agreement with UPS to offer B-to-B and B-to-C e-commerce web stores with an end-to-end offering comprised of Bridgeline's total e-commerce solution and UPS’ logistics and fulfillment services.

Tuesday Morning Corp. has ushered out its current CEO and is on the hunt for a new one, the discount retailer said Wednesday. It also announced several other management changes and lowered its guidance, which sent its shares plunging in after-hours trading.The company said that it relieved Kathleen Mason of her duties as president and CEO on Tuesday. She was appointed to the post in 2000.Michael Marchetti, 55, who is its executive vice president and chief operating officer, was promoted to president and chief operating officer. He will also serve as interim CEO.

Claire’s Stores Inc. has named James D. Fielding, former president of Disney Stores Worldwide, as CEO, effective June 18, 2012. Fielding, who resigned from Disney on Monday, will also join Claire’s board of directors. “I look forward to capitalizing on the many growth initiatives available to the company, including new stores, development of the Icing concept, continued international expansion in markets such as Mexico, India and China, and optimization of e-commerce,” Fielding said in a statement. 

Harris Teeter Supermarkets entered into an agreement with Lowe’s Food Stores whereby Harris Teeter will acquire 10 Lowes locations in the central Carolinas region and Lowes Foods acquiring six Harris Teeter store locations in western North Carolina. In addition to the six Harris Teeter stores, Harris Teeter has agreed to pay Lowes Foods $26.5 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in the company’s third quarter of fiscal 2012, which ends July 1, 2012. Harris Teeter plans to temporarily close the acquired stores for five to sixteen weeks for remodeling, stocking and training of employees.