U.S. retailers gearing up for the holidays could be overlooking a key source of sales: international shoppers. To win in the global e-commerce race, companies can't rely on the same approach they use domestically. Featured products, marketing content, and promotions targeting U.S. consumers may not resonate in all markets. For example, as U.S. retailers promote their discounts on that latest style winter coat, super-fast sled or snow tires, they'll need to remember that it's summer in Australia.

Less than 12 hours after Macy's shared bleak holiday results, J.C. Penney Co. said enhanced digital capabilities and strong demand for its private-label offerings helped it to produce strong holiday season same-store sales growth, which allowed the company to reaffirm its full-year profit forecast.

The demise of physical stores has become a familiar narrative during the holiday season, but nothing could be further from the truth, according to one man better positioned than most to know.

Consumers don't see "channels." They are time-starved and information-rich, and use technology that they carry around in their pockets and purses to find the best solutions to their lifestyle needs.

Retailers in the United States are taking a huge risk by underestimating the buying power of the over-50 generation, according to a report by the Fung Business Intelligence Centre.