Order Fulfillment

In its latest survey on e-commerce shipping practices, Stamps.com found that 64 percent of respondents report that free shipping is the most effective promotion they can offer during the holiday season.

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 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.

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.

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?

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

Target is focused on helping customers “find, learn and buy,” and has taken 2010 to remodel its strategy, stores and messaging.

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.

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.