Retail Sales Show Mixed Results for 2009

| Tim Parry

Did 2009 end on a high note for retailers? It depends on who you ask. The National Retail Federation and U.S. Census Bureau said December sales improved year-over-year, but their estimates differed.

Live From NRF: Bing Building Better Maps

| Tim Parry

Tim Henderson, a business development manager for Microsoft, said his company has made strides with its map features that he hopes will make Bing Maps a choice of multichannel retailers.

Live from NRF: Consumers Want Cross-Channel Synergy

| Tim Parry

As a merchant, you may consider yourself to be multichannel. But the customer views your bricks-and-mortar stores and Website as one entity, according to a survey shown Monday at the National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention and Expo.

Gander Mountain Announces Plans to Delist

| Tim Parry

Multichannel outdoor gear and apparel merchant Gander Mountain took another step in its intent to go private on Dec. 29 when it announced plans to withdraw its shares of common stock from listing on the Nasdaq Global Market.

1-800-Flowers.com to Drop Partnership With Affinion

| Tim Parry

Multititle mailer 1-800-flowers.com said on Dec. 23 that that it will not renew its contract for third-party administration of its membership program with affinity marketing firm Affinion, and will eliminate data-passing of credit card information.

La Tienda Opens First Retail Location

| Tim Parry

Spanish foods importer La Tienda opened its first retail store on Dec. 10 in Williamsburg, VA. Other than its proximity to its headquarters in nearby Toano, VA, why Williamsburg?