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Consumer Affairs & Relations

  • Regional supermarket chain sees more growth ahead

    After growing its store base through an acquisition last year, Weis Markets is investing $90 million in its growth in 2017.    The budget includes new stores and remodels of existing locations. It also calls for supply chain improvements and continued information technology upgrades.    

  • Report: Is ‘Apple Cash’ on the horizon?

    Apple may be the next company to provide a money-transfer service.   Sources said Apple has recently held discussions with payments industry partners about introducing a program that would allow iPhone owners to send money to each other digitally, according to ReCode.   If Apple’s plan pans out, its service will rival offerings from big U.S. banks, as well as PayPal, its millennial-popular subsidiary Venmo, and Square Cash, the report said.  

  • Retail Group make case for swipe fee reform

    The National Retail Federation brought added attention to its stance on debit card swipe fee reform at a Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill.    According to the NRF, reform has saved merchants and consumers more than $40 billion -- which is why the association is asking that it be protected.  

  • Under Armour reports first-ever loss

    Bankruptcies in the sporting goods sector is taking a toll on Under Armour, but the brand still managed to beat expectations in its first quarter.   

  • Costco to give rare payout

    In an action that reflects its strong performance, Costco Wholesale Corp. is about to return some $3.1 billion to investors.    The retailer announced a special cash dividend on Costco common stock of $7.00 per share, payable May 26, 2017, to shareholders. The dividend is in addition to a 5 cent increase of the company’s quarterly cash dividend to 50 cents a share.  

  • Consumer confidence slips in April

    April's consumer confidence metric didn't live up to the new benchmark established in March, when consumer confidence reached a 16-year high.   This month, the Index declined to 120.3 from 124.9 in March.  

  • Parent of Ugg brand considers sale

    Deckers Brands announced on Tuesday is it reviewing strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.   The decision comes as the company said it has made “significant progress” in streamlining its cost structure, optimizing its retail store fleet, and realigning its brands to improve profitability. Deckers portfolio includes the popular footwear brands Ugg and Teva.  

  • Despite merger uncertainly, Rite Aid beats Street in Q4

    Rite Aid managed to best analyst forecasts for the fourth quarter even as its chairman and CEO noted that "the extended duration of the merger process" with Walgreens Boots Alliance is "having a negative impact" on the company's results.    Rite Aid’s revenue rose a better-than-expected 2.7% to $8.5 billion in the quarter. Same-store sales fell 3.0%, consisting of a 4.3% decrease in pharmacy sales and a 0.3% decrease in front-end sales.  

  • Study: Key decision makers look to AI for ongoing success

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly topping IT wish lists as a means of improving business decisions and providing personalization.   That’s according to a new report from PwC, “Bot.Me: A Revolutionary Partnership.” The study, surveyed consumers and business decision makers on AI’s impact in the business world, the evolution of AI acceptance by consumers and AI’s changing role in addressing socioeconomic issues.   

  • Washington Spotlight: Retail Operators on the Ropes

    As Congress reconvenes after the Easter recess, retail operators have a tremendous amount at stake. The industry is in an unprecedented state of strife with major legacy brands announcing large scale closures.   
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