Order Fulfillment

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.

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 โ€” 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.

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 โ€” but not both. Savvy e-retailers realize that these days, no clear point of distinction exists. You can't have one without the other.

Holiday Hiring on Pace for Highest Level in Three Years
November 9, 2010

Retailers are on pace to hire the most temporary workers for the holiday season in three years, according to outplacment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Retail stores increased payrolls by 150,900 in October โ€” three times more than the same month in 2009 โ€” based on data from the U.S. Labor Department.

Major Retailers Kickoff RFID Guidelines Initiative
November 8, 2010

A group of North America's leading retail industry members โ€” including stores, manufacturers, and retail and RFID associations โ€” have teamed up to begin writing road maps and guidelines for RFID usage at the item level in the retail sector.