Finance & Capital Management

Atlanta -- Consumer spending growth declined from December to January, but remained relatively healthy at 2.5%, according to First Data’s January 2014 SpendTrend report. SpendTrend tracks same-store point-of-sale data by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks from nearly four million U.S. merchant locations serviced by First Data. The report cited the severe winter weather that pummeled the Midwest and eastern half of the country as a factor in the decline.

Stater Bros. reported a substantial increase in net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and credited its long-time low-price strategy for its sales growth.

Less than a year after joining Hhgregg to lead the retailer’s digital initiatives, Kevin Lyons has been elevated to the role of SVP of e-commerce.

The Indianapolis-based operator of 228 stores said Lyons’ promotion to SVP from VP of e-commerce resulted from the creation of an ambitious online development and promotional strategy. As a result, Hhgregg has improved website navigation, driven positive social media engagement among key customer groups and integrated online and in-store marketing, resulting in double-digit growth in sales and conversions.

Atlanta — Flip Flop Shops has announced plans to develop 25 shops throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. The new shops stem from a master franchise agreement with Barefoot, regional retail group. The first new shop is expected to open by mid-year, with additional shops following over the next 10 years.

Flip Flop Shops has nearly 100 locations globally plus more than 150 shops in the development pipeline, not including those within this new franchise agreement.

 

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire 24 Stop-n-Go locations. Twenty of the stores are located in North Dakota and four are located in Minnesota.

ComScore elevated president Serge Matta to the role of CEO as the digital measurement firm reported recorded fourth-quarter and full-year results.

Matta fills the position occupied by Dr. Magid Abraham who along with Gian Fulgoni co-founded the company. Abraham will relinquish the CEO role and serve as executive chairman of the board of directors, assuming a position currently held by Fulgoni who will become chairman emeritus.

Amazon plans to fill more than 2,500 new full-time jobs across its growing U.S. fulfillment network. Median pay inside Amazon fulfillment centers is 30% higher than traditional retail jobs, the company said, although it stopped short of disclosing the actual median pay rate for the positions it intends to fill.

Stater Bros. has named Michael Reed as the company’s senior director of real estate.

"We have great confidence that Michael will do an outstanding job of leading our real estate division," said chairman and CEO Jack H. Brown. "His management and real estate expertise will help Stater Bros. meet our present and future real estate needs."