Finance & Capital Management

In its PizzaRev case study series, CSA offers an insider’s look at the conception, initial rollout and growth of the southern California-based fast-casual concept PizzaRev. Likened to “the Chipotle of pizza,” this innovative chain lets customers choose from an artisanal array of toppings to craft their own pizzas very quickly in a high-end stone hearth oven.

The Finish Line is off to a strong start in fiscal 2015, according to chairman and CEO Glenn Lyon, who credited the company’s omnichannel efforts for its first-quarter success.

The company reported consolidated net sales of $406.5 million, an increase of 15.8% over the prior year period. Comparable store sales increased 5%.

Dublin, Calif. — dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, will open its 23rd new store in Florida on June 28 in the Hallandale Shopping Center in Hallandale Beach, Florida. When this store opens, dd’s Discounts will operate more than 140 locations in 12 states. The retailer is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

Durham, N.C. -- Walgreens plans to incorporate energy-efficient LED lighting into its new stores going forward. The drugstore retailer recently installed Cree LED lighting in its 14,820-sq.-ft. Goodyear, Arizona location.

The 14,820-sq.-ft. store uses Cree’s LED troffers, linear luminaires and downlights, saving the retailer thousands in annual energy and maintenance costs while delivering superior illumination, Cree said.
 

New York -- China's Alibaba Group Holdings plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg reported. In a filing on Thursday, the company revealed it will use the ticket "BABA."

Alibaba filed for its IPO in May. The online giant is looking to sell about a 12% stake, the report said. Experts have said it could be the largest U.S. IPO ever.

David Campisi joined Big Lots a little more than a year ago as president and CEO and with sales and profits gathering momentum the nation’s leading off-price retailer has decided to begin paying a hefty dividend.

The operator of roughly 1,500 stores nationwide said it would begin paying a quarterly dividend of 17 cents a share as part of a more balanced approach to returning cash to shareholders and as a reflection of confidence in the company’s strategy and favorable long-term prospects.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper Supermarkets announced that it has cut about 80 positions, citing a need to improve efficiency within the company amid rising costs, including “skyrocketing” healthcare costs.