Retail Stores

Not since 1943 have Americans seen an Easter fall this late in the calendar, but it seems the delayed holiday won’t impact consumers’ eagerness to spend on décor, food and even new spring apparel.

Flash-sale site ideeli is launching plus-size and petite sample sales, with new brands launching every Wednesday. “Many designers cap their collections at size 10, yet there is clearly demand for contemporary styles in fuller-figured sizes," Mary Harmon group vice president at ideeli, said in a statement.

Startup internet company GroopEase has announced the launch of its group-buying, members-only music website, offering daily deals on digital albums featuring emerging independent bands and solo artists.

Coupons, deals, discounts — however you say it, bargain shopping remains a hot topic. Even with an economy that’s showing signs of recovery, consumers are just too savvy and technologically connected to pay retail prices.

Vogue and Elle have long influenced what image-conscious consumers buy. Now, in a bid to reverse flagging sales and stay relevant, fashion magazines may sell the products they feature in their articles.

Girl Scout cookies are once again selling in one of the hottest retail formats: pop-up stores. Temporary stores designed to drum up buzz for retailers, they appear for a limited time — say, Girl Scout cookie season — and just as suddenly, disappear again.

eBay is launching its deepest integration with Milo on its search platform. Milo’s local availability results will show eBay shoppers which local stores currently have a desired item in stock and how much it costs at each location. Milo currently provides access to millions of products from approximately 50,000 stores across all 50 states.

The cross-channel retail industry is at a crossroads. For starters, due to the economic downturn, the past couple of years have been difficult for the retail sector. But that's changing. Retailers are starting to see signs of life and are breathing a sigh of relief. At press time, for example, it was announced that February retail sales increased 0.6 percent over January and 4.2 percent year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Although consumers may still be watching discretionary spending closely, Belk reported a strong 2010 fiscal year. The Charlotte, N.C.-based department store chain said sales at stores open more than a year were up 5.1 percent in the year ended Jan. 29, 2011.

Gap has opened an online store on China's biggest e-commerce platform Taobao, in an effort to lure savvy Chinese shoppers outside wealthy cities. Gap opened its store on Taobao Mall, alongside the likes of Adidas, Levi Strauss & Co and Japan's Uniqlo.