Marketing

Fourth quarter same store sales at The Home Depot advanced 7% and profits swelled 29% to $1 billion, or 68 cents, compared to profits of $774 million or 50 cents a share the prior year.

NEW YORK — Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s, took the stand on Monday to testify in the trial of two Macy's lawsuits regarding the deal between JCPenney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. The long-awaited trial began last Wednesday, in New York Supreme Court.

The trial is about whether Macy’s has the exclusive right to sell Martha Stewart branded cookware, bedding and certain other products. 

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Visa announced that it has signed an agreement with leading mobile commerce provider ROAM, an Ingenico company, to enable merchants of all sizes to accept electronic payments using mobile technology. The companies aim to displace cash payments by expanding the reach of electronic payments to new merchant categories, and by making it easier for merchants and acquirers to take advantage of secure mobile acceptance solutions.

Dillard’s posted its 10th consecutive quarter of same store sales growth with a 3% gain in the fourth quarter.

The operator of 284 department stores said merchandise sales for the 14 week fourth quarter ended February 2 increased 7% to $2.087 billion compared to $1.947 billion during the 13 week period ended January 28, 2012. Based on comparable weeks, merchandise sales increased 2%. Profits for the 14 week period increased to $161.4 million, or $3.36 a share, compared to $141.5 million or $2.77 during the 13 week period the prior year.

Insight Beverages has named Sharon Porter as director of national sales effective Feb. 25, 2013. 

“As director of national sales, Sharon will lead our organization in its efforts to expand our core convenience store business, distribution and national accounts.  We are very excited to have a person of Sharon’s caliber at our company as we continue to expand our business in convenience stores and other foodservice channels,” said Bill Flack, VP sales for Insight Beverages.

New York -- Leonard Riggio, founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble, has told the company’s board that he wants to make an offer for its retail business. Riggio is Barnes & Noble’s largest shareholder, owning nearly 30% of the company.

The offer would not include Nook Media, Barnes & Noble’s e-book division.

Barnes & Noble said in a statement that it had formed a special board committee of three directors to consider Riggio’s proposal. There is set timetable for the process.

The head of the Grocery Manufacturers Association took exception this week to a new book which portrays consumers as hapless victims preyed upon by food industry giants that peddle addictive products.

In “Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” author Michael Moss paints an unflattering picture of food companies who pursue a win at all costs strategy by artfully manipulates salt, sugar and fat to addict and fatten consumer with disastrous results.

Specialty apparel retailer Body Central has transformed its merchandising organization with four high level hires and the departure of former chief merchant Beth Angelo.