"We are working diligently towards the implementation of our new point-of-sale system which we expect to pilot in a handful of stores this fall," said Pier 1 CEO Alexander Smith during a recent conference call. "Our game plan is to begin integrating the new POS system with e-commerce by summer 2013, strengthening our foundation as we build out our multichannel capabilities."

The spending on technology has already begun. For Q1 of fiscal 2013 Pier 1 allotted $5.1m of its $12.2m in capex expenditures to IT and infrastructure. Part of the remaining $7.1m went to creating a dedicated e-commerce fulfillment space in its Mansfield, Tex., distribution center.

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