Order Fulfillment

Groupon: 95 Percent of Retailers Would Work With Us Again
November 15, 2010

There's no question that Groupon can be a great deal for shoppers — since 2008 it has sold more than 13 million coupons, delivering discounts of more than $570 million. But are these deals working in favor of the stores offering them, or do they backfire?

Video: Pop-Ups All Over
November 15, 2010

Bloomberg's Monica Bertran reports on the increasing popularity of pop-up stores, temporary retail spots usually seen during the holiday season.

Wal-Mart Looks to Team With Pepsi to Reduce Costs
November 15, 2010

Wal-Mart Purchasing Chief Hernan Muntaner has a dream: teaming the giant retailer with soda and snack maker Pepsi to buy potatoes jointly for a lower price than either company can get on its own. That would allow both to earn more money on the chips and spuds they sell in Wal-Mart's supermarkets. So far, Pepsi isn't playing along.

J.C. Penney's Profits Rise 63 Percent
November 15, 2010

J.C. Penney's third-quarter earnings rose 63 percent as the department store operator benefited from fewer charges, but high merchandise levels and indications of poorer profits from the products it sells raised eyebrows.

Starbucks Kicks Kraft to the Curb
November 15, 2010

U.S. coffee shop operator Starbucks has said that it plans to end its distribution deal with Kraft Foods to gain greater control over its retail offering.

Barnes & Noble Adds Toy Section
November 12, 2010

As digital books continue to gain traction, Barnes & Noble Inc. is rethinking its basic store layout. The country's largest bookstore chain said Thursday it has built 3,000-square-foot boutiques dedicated to children's games and toys in five of its mega-stores.

Macy's Posts a Profit
November 11, 2010

Macy's posted a profit for the period ending Oct. 30, coming back from a loss the same time a year ago, as sales rose.

Does Live Chat Provide Sales or Service?
November 11, 2010

When considering live chat, many online retailers think the technology is for sales or service — but not both. Savvy e-retailers realize that these days, no clear point of distinction exists. You can't have one without the other.