Latest articles from DMNews Multichannel Retail/Ecommerce

Golden Gate places highest bid for Eddie Bauer

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:02:37 GMT

Golden Gate Capital has emerged as the leading bidder for Eddie Bauer during a bankruptcy auction this week, with an all-cash bid for $286 million. The Golden Gate offer will be presented for court approval on July 22 and, if it is accepted, the transaction is expected to close in early August. Eddie Bauer voluntarily entered initiated Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings last month. At the time, it entered into an asset purchase agreement with CCMP Capital Advisors LLC for $202 million in cash, which could be superseded by other bids at auction.

Harte-Hanks brings new talent into Shoppers business

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:32:05 GMT

Harte-Hanks made a pair of recent hires to its Shoppers business as it looks to build synergy between its print strategy and its online and mobile marketing. So Young Park has been named VP, marketing for PennySaverUSA.com and will oversee brand and consumer marketing for PennySaverUSA's network of sites. Doug Williams has been named VP, e-commerce for PennySaverUSA.com and will oversee online sales, b-to-b partnerships and advertising products.

Digital River eliminates 120 positions, outsources customer service

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:28:12 GMT

E-commerce service provider Digital River is eliminating 120 positions globally as part of a realignment that will see the outsourcing of its customer service operations and growth in its product development and sales areas. "This is not a downsizing," said Ed Merritt, VP, investor relations at Digital River. By contracting with outsourcing provider Sitel to manage its customer e-mail and phone inquiries beginning September, "the level of service provided to customers will be better than we can provide," said Merritt.

Amazon.com launches outdoor store online

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:18:33 GMT

Amazon.com has launched a destination shopping site for outdoor recreation items at amazon.com/outdoors. To support the launch, Amazon is offering a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass to virtual store visitors who make a qualifying purchase of $299 or more. Amazon will also offer customers a chance to pre-order a DVD set of the forthcoming Ken Burns PBS documentary, "The National Parks — America's Best Idea."

JCPenney's back-to-school push includes teen Web site

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:40:40 GMT

JCPenney Company Inc. has launched an integrated marketing campaign for the back-to-school season that includes a dedicated Web site for teenagers, as well as social media elements. The campaign was created with agencies Saatchi & Saatchi New York, T3 and Razorfish. The "Schooled in style: Smart looks for less" campaign showcases several brands, including the new RS By Sheckler, Rusty, Third Rail a Zoo York Production and Decree.

Charming Shoppes makes appointments to direct biz

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:27:34 GMT

James P. Fogarty, who became the president and CEO of Charming Shoppes Inc. in April, wasted little time in making several appointments to its direct business, bringing in experienced direct marketing professionals from Sears, Garnet Hill and Lowes.com. The company also said it would cease exploring the sale of its Figi's Gifts in Good Taste catalog business after looking for an acceptable offer for nearly a year.

New products mark AAD relaunch

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The journey from satellite services provider to Internet retailer of items for the home may sound unusual but, for the folks at AllAmericanDirect.com, it makes perfect sense.

Scotts Miracle-Gro to shut down Smith & Hawken

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:49:13 GMT

Lawn care products manufacturer The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company said it will cease operating its Smith & Hawken business by the end of the calendar year. Orders via the Web site, catalog and call center are being discontinued effective today and all stores are expected to close within six months. Scotts had initially pursued plans to sell the upscale garden products catalog and retail business.

Neiman Marcus names CMO

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:14:25 GMT

Wanda Gierhart has been named SVP and CMO at The Neiman Marcus Group Inc. and will be responsible for marketing, market research, advertising, sales promotion and customer insight activities for Neiman Marcus Stores, Neiman Marcus Direct and Bergdorf Goodman. Gierhart, who will begin in her new role on August 10, will report to Karen Katz, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores and EVP at The Neiman Marcus Group.

MasterCard debuts jeans campaign

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:23:07 GMT

MasterCard kicks off a two-month multichannel ad campaign on July 1 that calls on consumers to use their MasterCard when purchasing jeans. It is designed to reach people buying jeans and encourage them to use their MasterCard for payment. The marketing program includes TV, print, online, mobile, out-of-home and radio.

Should retailers consider getting into mobile commerce?

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With a difficult economy, retailers must  do more with less. Mobile commerce is gaining attention, but the challenges are significant. So retailers want to know: "Are consumers ready for mobile commerce; and if so, where should we begin?"

5 must-haves for your e-commerce site

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Web sales gain importance for nearly every multichannel retailer, making sure your site is competitive with today's best e-commerce offerings is essential. Whether you're just getting started in e-commerce or your site needs freshening up, there are some basic must-haves, says Scott Todaro, senior director of product strategy at Demandware:

10 tips: Integrating multichannel data

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this tight economy, retailers are trying every way they can think of to reach out to customers: Web sites, catalogs, in-store promotions and even mobile messaging. Once all these channels get up and running, however, keeping track of customer data can get difficult. Here are 10 tips for integrating your multichannel data.

Top Tips: Make alternative payments work for your e-commerce site

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:30:00 GMT

With the new credit card bill potentially making plastic an option for fewer people — including those under age 21 and those without good credit — e-commerce retailers are offering more alternative payment methods, which are becoming more and more attractive when shopping online. So what should marketers keep in mind when it comes to choosing and promoting alternative payment methods? Bala Janakiraman, principal product manager, Litle & Co., shares his top tips.

Other channels give e-commerce a boost

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A strong e-commerce Web site is critical for many multichannel merchants, but there are other important pieces to the puzzle. Four industry experts discuss how other channels help grow e-commerce success.