Consumer Affairs & Relations

Dodgeville, Wis. — Net income at Lands’ End Inc. grew 5% to $11.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 from $11.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Net sales also increased 5%, to $347.2 million from $329.6 million.

Same-store sales improved 2.8%. Lands’ End attributed its positive performance to improved merchandise assortment, modern creative presentation, better inventory management and continued expense controls.

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. beat Wall Street expectations with strong net earnings and sales results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Net earnings rose 9% to $347 million from $317 million, while total sales increased 12% to $25.3 billion compared to $22.7 billion for the same period in the prior year.

North Bergen, N.J. - Tony Truesdale, who has served as CEO of Vitamin Shoppe Inc. since 2006, has announced his intent to retire on June 27, 2015 to spend more time with his family and his external board work. The board of directors of the Vitamin Shoppe will be commencing a search for a new CEO, which will include both internal and external candidates, who will then implement the next stages of the company's long-term growth plans.

Arlington, Va. - Nicholas Ahrens will join the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) as VP of privacy and cyber security. Joining the association from the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ahrens will lead RILA’s privacy and data security agenda and serve as the lead advocate to the government on cyber security, privacy, data security and related issues.

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is reportedly considering changing its policy that forbids visible tattoos on baristas. According to CNNMoney, more than 21,000 employees have signed an online petition asking Starbucks to allow baristas in its stores to display visible, non-offensive tattoos.

Kroger reported total sales of $25.3 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% for its second quarter. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 12.4% in the second quarter over the same period last year.

Nicholas Ahrens will join the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) as VP of privacy and cyber security. Joining the association from the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ahrens will lead RILA’s privacy and data security agenda and serve as the lead advocate to the government on cyber security, privacy, data security and related issues.

The Vitamin Shoppe’s CEO Tony Truesdale plans to retire June 27, 2015, to spend more time with his family and his external board work.  

The board will start searching for a new CEO, who will be charged with implementing the next stages of the company's long-term growth plans. It will be considering internal and external candidates.

RadioShack posted a net loss of $137.2 million in its second quarter, more than double the $52.2 million loss reported in the year-ago period. It was the troubled retailer’s 10th straight quarterly loss.

RadioShack warned in a regulatory filing it may seek bankruptcy protection, with a possible sale or third-party investment as other potential avenues to remedy its ongoing financial woes.

Jacksonville, Fla. - Stein Mart is opening six new stores in fall 2014 as part of its 2014 store expansion plan that calls for  nine new locations, strategically selected in key growth markets, and seven relocations. The openings will bring the company's total nationwide store count to more than 270.