Gift-Giving Service Wantful Shuts Down Suddenly

The gift site Wantful is suspending operations, it said today.
Wantful

News Byte

GRP Partners Adds HauteLook’s Greg Bettinelli

Greg Bettinelli, the chief marketing officer at flash-sale site HauteLook, is joining GRP Partners as a venture partner. It’s the first time the Los Angeles-based firm has expanded its ranks in six years. Prior to HauteLook, Bettinelli had worked at Live Nation and eBay.

Some Last-Minute Online Shoppers Can Still Put Gifts Under the Tree

There are a number of ways to still get deliveries sent to your home if you don’t feel like fighting the crowds at the mall.

News Byte

Facebook Tests Pinterest-Like Feature With Retailers

Facebook is currently testing a new layout with a handful of retailers, letting users “Like,” “Want” and “Add” product photos to a favorite list. Dubbed “Collections,” the feature is strongly similar to Pinterest’s user interface and feel, as both are focused heavily on buyable items with large potential for a move into e-commerce. Retailers in the test include such recognizable fashion brands as Nordstrom, Old Navy and Macy’s.

The Next Blue Nile? Ritani Launches Jewelry Site With a Bricks-and-Mortar Twist.

Consumers will be able to purchase an engagement ring from Ritani.com, and can decide to ship it to their home or to a nearby jewelry shop.

As Fab.com Hits Year One, It Enters the U.K. Through Acquisition

Within the past year, Fab.com has hit a lot of milestones: 1.8 million products sold, 4.75 million members and, now, three acquisitions.

Voices

E-Commerce Accelerating Due to Personalization, Pinterest and iPad

A sputtering economy isn’t slowing the growth of e-commerce.

Internet-Only Bonobos Gets Cash and Rack Space From Nordstrom

Bonobos, the New York-based online clothing brand, says it has closed $16.4 million in new funding from Nordstrom and that it will start selling its pants at the high-end department store.

How E-Commerce Is Expanding Internationally, One Package at a Time

Retailers are realizing that another way to juice revenues is to open up their sites to international markets — if they can manage the logistics.

Retailers vs. Amazon: A Brick-and-Moral Dilemma

Brick-and-mortar retailers are asking consumers to “buy it where you try it” after Amazon disclosed it will be encouraging consumers to treat stores as showrooms through the use of a one-day promotion on Saturday.