Now will you line up for Surface? Microsoft Stores offer $100 Xbox Music pass

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The launch of Microsoft’s Surface tablet tomorrow is generating lots of buzz, but will it generate lines? Actually, the answer is already yes, at least in Beijing — where hundreds of people reportedly waited to be among the first to buy the new Microsoft tablet. In the United States, the company is taking steps to promote… Read More…

Amazon unit to unveil new kids sites Bookworm.com and AfterSchool.com Thursday

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Quidsi may be known for operating the online retail store Diapers.com. But now the Amazon.com unit is looking to leverage its relationships with moms and dads for a slightly older demographic. On Thursday, New Jersey-based Quidsi plans to launch two new sites — Bookworm.com and AfterSchool.com — that will sell a wide range of books,… Read More…

U.S. Postal Service to test same-day delivery service Metro Post

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It seems everyone is now experimenting with the concept of same-day package delivery — even The U.S. Postal Service. Today, it filed documents with the Postal Regulatory Commission for a new program called Metro Post which is designed to deliver packages on the same day the orders are placed from online retailing partners. To kick… Read More…

Best Buy looks to retain customers, plans to match Amazon on price

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Wal-Mart earlier this week threw down the gauntlet on Amazon.com, announcing that it plans to offer same-day delivery in some markets this holiday season. Now, it’s Best Buy’s turn. The electronics retailer is planning to match the prices of Amazon.com this holiday season, with The Wall Street Journal reporting today that the strategy is an… Read More…

Engagement ring designer Ritani sparkles with $15M, combines clicks with bricks

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Ritani has been in the diamond business for more than a decade. But the engagement ring designer is adding a fresh shine today, announcing $15 million from Cantor Ventures and a new strategy that combines brick-and-mortar retail with e-commerce. That’s a hot concept right now, highlighted by concepts such as Amazon.com’s locker service and efforts… Read More…

Wal-Mart takes direct aim at Amazon, promises same-day delivery in 10 cities

Walmart is trying to roll onto Amazon's turf

In July, Amazon.com CFO Thomas Szutak seemed to douse reports that the online retailer would go big with same-day shipping, with the tech executive noting that “we don’t really see a way to do same-day delivery on a broad-scale economically.” But Wal-Mart is tinkering with the concept, and it is pushing ahead aggressively with a… Read More…

Video: Microsoft Store pulls plug on table-stomping rapper

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There’s no word on exactly how much damage the rapper Machine Gun Kelly caused during this appearance last week at the Microsoft Store in Atlanta, but clearly this wasn’t what the company was expecting in the way of a performance. After delivering a few profanities, the rapper jumped from table to table, stomping around (and possibly on)… Read More…

The end of Endless: Amazon pulls plug on fashion site

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Amazon.com is shutting down Endless.com, the five-year-old high-end online fashion site that sold handbags, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. The site will be turned off on September 27th, with the service integrated directly with Amazon.com/Fashion. Amazon has been making some big bets in the high-end fashion market, and we’ve talked about the growing rivalry between the… Read More…

Apple opening bigger Bellevue store, but what about downtown Seattle?

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Apple plans to open a bigger retail store at Bellevue Square this Saturday, moving to a new location in the mall. They’re hosting a grand reopening ceremony on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., giving away T-shirts to the first 1,000 guests. (What, no Miley Cyrus tickets like when Microsoft opened its store at the mall?) The… Read More…

Amazon prepares fall launch of AfterSchool.com, a new site for sports and outdoor gear for kids

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Amazon.com’s Quidsi unit is gearing up to launch a new sports and activities site called AfterSchool.com, designed to outfit kids with the sports, dance and art supplies. “AfterSchool.com … is a completely new way to shop for kids’ favorite sports & activities,” according to a message Amazon.com sent to manufacturing partners. “Whether they are into… Read More…