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Consumer Affairs & Relations

  • Ross Stores beats Q4 estimates; cautious about 2016

    Ross Stores reported strong results for its fourth quarter. But similar to many other retailers, the off-price retailer sounded a cautious note with regards to sales and earnings for its new fiscal year.

    Ross on Tuesday reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended January 30, 2016 of $.66, up 10% from the prior year, on net earnings that rose 6% to a better-than-expected $264 million.

  • Albertsons sets goal for cage-free eggs by 2025

    Albertsons is joining other major retailers in working with its suppliers toward a goal of sourcing only cage-free eggs for its store operations.

    The company, among the first and largest in the conventional retail grocery sector to make such a commitment, is making the move not only as part of its ongoing commitment to animal welfare but also in response to customer buying habits.

  • Report: Sam's Club to overhaul grocery offerings

    Sam's Club is building a team of regional U.S. buyers to bring in more local and organic groceries in order to attract wealthier customers and better compete with Costco.

    According to Reuters,Sam's Club has hired a handful of buyers in Dallas and is considering putting teams in up to five other markets, John Furner, chief merchandising officer at Sam's Club, told Reuters. Until now, all of its buyers have worked out of company headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

  • Study: E-commerce fraud risk varies by location

    When it comes to fraudulent online transactions, one state in particular may warrant a little extra attention from retailers.

    Analysis of millions of 2015 e-commerce transactions by Experian indicates Florida is the overall riskiest state for billing fraud, followed by Delaware; Washington, D.C.; Oregon and California. Billing fraud states are determined by where the consumer whose information was illegally used resides.

  • Lumber Liquidator woes continue in Q4

    Things were worse than expected for Lumber Liquidators in the fourth quarter, which experienced decreased customer activity that was likely due to cancer-related concerns over its laminate flooring.

    Net sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2015 were down 13.7% year-over-year to $234.8 million, including a comparable store net sales decline of 17.2% that was based on a 15.6% decrease in customer count and a 1.6% decrease in the average sale.

  • A sparkly fourth quarter for Signet Jewelers

    Signet Jewelers attracted large numbers of Christmas shoppers over the fourth quarter as the parent company of Zales, Kay and Jared posted a jump in same-store sales.

    The world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry reported that for the period ended Jan. 30, same-store sales increased 4.9%. Diluted earnings per share grew over 20%. Adjusted EPS increased over 18% and ahead of the guided range.

  • Starbucks to finally open in ultimate coffee market

    Photo: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz at Milan’s Duomo Cathedral

  • Sprouts Farmers Market sales hit record high

    Perhaps no other retailer is profiting as well from Americans' changing eating habits than Sprouts Farmers Market, which reported record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter.

    The Arizona-based grocer said that same-store sales during the period ended Jan. 3 rose 7.4%. Net income was $28.2 million and diluted earnings per share were 18 cents. Net sales were $3.59 billion, a 21% increase compared to reported net sales in 2014. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.86, a 19% increase from 2014.

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