Arizona Hands Amazon $53M Bill for Uncollected Sales Taxes

Arizona has handed Amazon a $53 million bill for uncollected sales taxes — the latest sign that the state is getting tougher on untaxed e-commerce at a time when it's also trying to encourage online distributors to set up operations... more »

 

Esprit Closing All North American Stores Amid Losses

Clothing retailer Esprit, struggling to recover from last year's 98 percent earnings slump, plans to close all stores in North America after failing to find a buyer for the unprofitable business. ... more »

 

Walgreens to Buy BioScrip’s Mail Order Operations for $225M

BioScrip said it will sell certain assets of its community specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail service pharmacy businesses to Walgreens for about $225 million. ... more »

 

Owner of Avenue Clothing to Get $25M Loan

A Manhattan judge ruled that United Retail Group, owner of the plus-size women's clothing brand Avenue, may borrow $25 million on an interim basis in bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein said he was prepared to approve... more »

 

Splintering of the Consumer Market

Before the 2010 Super Bowl, what was the most watched television show? Surprisingly, it was the final episode of "M-A-S-H." The record stood for over 25 years, even with a growing population. In 1983 there were essentially three networks, so... more »

 

Reardon Elevated to CMO at Macy's

Macy's has tapped Martine Reardon as its new chief marketing officer. The announcement comes amid a series of senior executive moves at the retailer, prompted by the retirement of Ron Klein, Macy's chief stores officer. Peter Sachse, who was named Macy's... more »

 

Staples Names Former Borders CEO as EVP of US Retail Merchandising

Staples announced the appointment of Mike Edwards to executive vice president, U.S. retail merchandising. Edwards previously served as president and CEO of Borders Group and had also served as the company's chief merchant. ... more »

 

ANN INC. Names New President for Ann Taylor Division Amid Slumping Sales

The president of the Ann Taylor brand, Christine Beauchamp, is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Beauchamp will be replaced by Brian Lynch, who had been president of the Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet divisions as well as leading the... more »

 

Coldwater Creek Makes Executive Changes

Coldwater Creek announced that it's promoted Jim Bell to the position of executive vice president, chief operating officer, a newly created position. Bell will be responsible for information technology, real estate, distribution and logistics, planning and allocation, and finance, and... more »

 

J.Crew Photoshop Mishap Gives Models Checkered Hair

J.Crew decided to go with a very distinct look this season — a Photoshop mishap gave its models checkered hair. And in case you were worried where the missing normal hair had run off to, it's hanging out by itself,... more »

 

Video: An NBA All-Star's Last Day Working at Foot Locker

While more than a few players signed on with overseas teams to make some cash while not receiving their NBA paychecks, New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire and Foot Locker teamed up for a funny commercial that had him taking... more »

 

Designer Launches Line That Tells How Much the Clothes Really Cost

A new clothing website launched by ex-Hugo Boss designer Bruno Pieters offers men's and women's collections that are completely transparent regarding manufacturing costs. Honest by provides a radical disruption in fashion (especially designer fashion), where manufacturing costs are often hazy or... more »

 

1 in 3 Luxury Consumers Brag About Getting a Good Deal

The latest Empathica Consumer Insights Panel survey found that 28 percent of consumers said they tell others about their luxury purchase through social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook or blogs. ... more »

 

Modest Declines in Combined Average Sales Tax Rate and Number of Rate Changes

The number of sales tax rate changes across the U.S. showed modest decline in 2011, as did the combined average sales tax rate, this according to the annual Sales Tax Rate Report from Vertex, a provider of corporate enterprise tax... more »

 

Free Whitepaper: Tier-One M-Commerce Functionality for Small-to-Midsize Retailers

Retailers must leverage mobility to stay competitive.... more »