‘The Daily Wrap:’ Amazon, Sears, Gymboree
Amazon Confirms 1-Click Patent
Following a four-year re-examination, the U.S. Patent Office is confirming online retailer Amazon.com’s patent on its single-click purchase technology. The patent, set to expire in 2017, has been challenged by multiple parties since it was initially filed in 1997. Source: TechFlash
Sears Spreads Mygofer Pilot
Broadline retailer Sears is expanding the pilot of its Mygofer multichannel retailing service, which lets customers order products online for in-store pickup from a single Kmart store in Illinois to 150 Kmart locations. Select Kmart stores offer Mygofer Plus, which delivers products to customers’ homes. Source: WalletPop
Gymboree Eyes Middle East Expansion
Specialty children’s retailer The Gymboree Corporation has entered into a multi-year franchise agreement with Azadea G Group Limited to launch the Gymboree retail brand in the Middle East. The first stores are scheduled to open in Dubai during Q3 fiscal 2010. Source: The Gymboree Corporation
Burger King Introduces New Snack Flavors
Snack food manufacturer The Inventure Group is releasing three new flavors of the Burger King line of CPG snack chips, based on growing sales. The new flavors are Hot Fries, Cheese Fries, and Hot & Spicy Onion Rings. Source: The Inventure Group, Inc.
Napster Japan to Shut Down
Napster Japan, a joint venture between U.S.-based Napster and Tower Records Japan, will shut down May 31, 2010. The closure is reportedly resulting from Napster’s implementation of a no-digital-rights policy and Napster parent company Best Buy’s focus on North America and Europe. Source: McClure’s Asia Music News
US Grocery Shoppers Rediscover National Brands
Fourth quarter sales results from major U.S. supermarket chains including Kroger and Whole Foods show that consumers are increasingly purchasing national brand goods. Analysts say a combination of the improving economy and aggressive manufacturer promotions are driving the increased sales. Source: Financial Times
Groupon Launches iPhone App
Groupon, the shopping website that offers a daily deal on local goods, services and cultural events in 40 cities nationwide, has launched of its official Groupon application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The free app allows users to browse and redeem deals, as well as map Groupon purchases via GPS. Source: Groupon
Abercrombie to Vacate 100 Underperforming Stores
Specialty youth apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has identified more than 200 underperforming stores. According to the Wall Street Journal, about half of those stores will have a lease expire in the next three years, at which point Abercrombie will vacate them. Source: Retailer Daily
Target Offers Scannable Mobile Coupons
Discount retailer Target is entering the increasingly crowded retail mobile coupon arena. Target is launching a new national mobile coupon program that allows customers to receive mobile coupons directly on their mobile phones and redeem them by scanning a barcode at checkout. Source: Retailer Daily
Fast Food Chains Target High Unemployment
State unemployment rates moderately increased in January 2010, with 30 states and the District of Columbia reporting over-the-month increases, nine registering decreases, and 11 having no significant rate change. Source: Retailer Daily
Deficit Continues Volatility
The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services fell 6.5% in January 2010, from a revised $39.9 billion to $37.3 billion. The deficit has been displaying a seesaw pattern since summer 2009. Source: Retailer Daily