Order Fulfillment

While a story reviewing this year's retail bankruptcies isn't generally considered something to cheer about, the good news is there were 56 percent fewer of them than in 2009.

Zumiez Inc. said that its third-quarter profit more than doubled to $12.3 million, or 40 cents a share, from $5.1 million, or 17 cents a share, in the year-ago period.

Dollar General Corp. has begun upgrading many of its stores, with the hopes of attracting a wider demographic, including more affluent consumers, according to the Financial Times.

Apple has launched a pilot of its EasyPay custom mobile retail software in a trial with Gap subsidiary Old Navy, opening a new market for the iPod touch in hand-held payment transactions.

Lida Orzeck co-founded her intimate apparel company 33 years ago. Last year she finally took the company online to retail customers.

Tiffany & Co.'s fiscal third-quarter profit climbed 27 percent, and core results handily topped analysts' expectations as sales and margins rose.

Footwear discount retailer DSW Inc.'s fiscal third-quarter earnings rose by one-third on higher sales. The company again raised its current-year forecast, now projecting earnings of $2.30 to $2.40 a share on same-store sales growth of about 12 percent.

Belk, a 305-unit department store chain, has embarked on a three-year, $150 million IT transformation designed to enhance the retailer's business capabilities and performance.

J. Crew says it will be taken private in a $3 billion deal with two investment firms, including its former parent TPG Capital.

Technology upgrades that include website enhancements and the addition of WiFi capabilities in stores were part of $69 million Nordstrom invested in retail operations during the third quarter.