Finance & Capital Management

Photo: (left to right) Thu Xuan, Thuy Nga, Duong Quoc Nam, Shari Wagner, Kevin Wagner, Minh Hua, and Robin Lim (PRNewsFoto/Ashley Furniture Industries, In)

Charming Charlie opened its first location in the Philippines, at Bonifacio High Street Central Square.

The location showcases the brand’s newest retail store concept, and features signature double doors in vibrant pink lacquer and a residential-style interior that mixes feminine, mid-century accents with luxe materials and whimsical details.

In the Philippines, Charming Charlie is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, a member of SSI Group, Inc., which has further growth planned for the brand in Cebu and Manila next year.

The value proposition of Perfumania stores is under scrutiny after the retailer reported dismal same store sale for the third quarter.

For the 13-week period ended Oct. 31, net sales at Perfumania decreased 8% to $142 million, compared to $154.3 million in the prior year. Same-store sales decreased 22.1%. Net income was $3 million, or net income per diluted share of 20 cents, compared to a net income of $7.5 million, or a net income per diluted share of 48 cents during last year’s third quarter.

With the financial picture improving modestly at Toys “R” Us, CEO Dave Brandon said the company is ready to build on third quarter successes during the final days of the holiday season.

Schnucks Markets on Monday named industry veteran Mark Doiron its new chief merchant. Doiron, who has more than 25 years of experience in the food and grocery industries, will be responsible for procurement and merchandising throughout Schnucks’ 99 supermarkets. He serves on the company’s senior management team and reports to Schnucks chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck.

With the financial picture improving modestly at Toys “R” Us, CEO David Brandon said the company is ready to build on third quarter successes during the final days of the holiday season.

The value proposition of Perfumania stores is under scrutiny after the retailer reported dismal same store sale for the third quarter.

For the 13-week period ended Oct. 31, net sales at Perfumania decreased 8% to $142 million, compared to $154.3 million in the prior year. Same store sales decreased 22.1%. Net income was $3 million, or net income per diluted share of 20 cents, compared to a net income of $7.5 million, or a net income per diluted share of 48 cents during last year’s third quarter.

Lillian Vernon, who grew a home business selling monogrammed pocketbooks and belts, into one of America's best-known mail-order businesses, died on Monday. She was 88.

Vernon and her family came to the United States in 1937 as Jewish immigrants from Germany fleeing Hitler. She was newly married and pregnant with her first child when she started her business in 1951.

The Lillian Vernon Corp. was the first company owned by a woman to be listed on the American Stock Exchange, in 1987, according to the New York Times.