Marketing

Mahwah, N.J. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. on Monday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $15.7 million, compared with $29.8 million in the year-ago period. Its results missed Wall Street expectations.

Revenues for the quarter were $1.18 billion, compared with $1.20 billion in the prior year. The company attributed the decrease challenging tween market conditions at Justice and inventory-related issues at Lane Bryant. Results were partially offset by positive comp growth at Maurices and Catherines and new store growth at Maurices.

Dallas-based apparel company Haggar Clothing has appointed Eve Richey as chief digital officer, reporting to CEO Michael Stitt.

Richey will be responsible for creating a seamless approach to the consumer experience across a variety of shopping channels, including the design, development and implementation of digital-commerce solutions that ensure customer and retailer demands and expectations are exceeded.

Leading commerce platform Shopify is gearing up for its fifth annual Build A Business competition, which it touts as the world's biggest entrepreneurial contest encouraging anyone with a great business idea to start selling.

Sunrise, Fla. - Pet Supermarket has recently opened its 150th store in Bartow, Florida. The per supply retailer now has more than 100 in Florida, as well as stores in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, California and Nevada, and is continuing to consider real estate opportunities in the states and markets it serves, as well as others.

Dallas – Haggar Clothing Co. has hired Eve Richey as chief digital officer, effective Sept. 15. Richey, formerly VP of global digital marketing for Toms Shoes, will be responsible for creating a seamless approach to the consumer experience across a variety of shopping channels.

Richey will report directly to Michael Stitt, CEO of Haggar Clothing Co. She brings more than 14 years of experience developing and executing digital omnichannel strategies and implementing e-commerce solutions for brands such as Toms Shoes and Dell.

Appliance, electronics and furniture retailer Hhgregg is looking to drive traffic to its stores via a partnership with the Chicago Bears that will award seven fans with a VIP game-day experience.

In addition, as a partner of the team, the inaugural Chicago Bears’ street team will be named the Chicago Bears Monster Squad powered by Hhgregg.

Denver -- Junction Solutions was was recognized as the 2014 U.S. Microsoft Dynamics AX Retail Partner of the Year. The company was honored among the top Microsoft partners for demonstrating sales excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

The nation’s largest automotive retailer has entered some rarified retailing air after reporting its 33rd consecutive quarter of double digit profit growth during the fourth quarter ended August 30.

The operator of 5,391 stores in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil said its fourth quarter profit increased 7.4% to $373.7 million while earnings per share increased 15.6% to $11.28, compared to prior year profits of $371.2 million, or $9.76 a share.