Marketing

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco, parent to the Journeys, Lids and Johnston & Murphy banners, reported Wednesday a loss of $392,000 for the quarter ended July 31, compared with a loss of $3.2 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 29% to $471 million, from $364 million. Same-store sales surged 14%, with the Lids Sports Group up 12%, the Journeys Group up 15%, the Johnston & Murphy Group up 17%, and the Underground Station Group up 10%.

The company said it is raising its fiscal 2012 guidance, based on the performance.

Tarrytown, N.Y. -- DLC Management Corp, a national owner and operator of open-air shopping centers, announces Wednesday the launch of a new social media initiative that includes both business-to-business and business-to-consumer social networks.

South Deerfield, Mass. -- The Yankee Candle Co. has opened its first company-owned retail stores in Canada. Yankee Candle will open five stores in the greater Toronto area before Sept. 16. The first three locations in Pickering, St. Catharine's and Hamilton, Ontario, are now open. In the coming weeks, the company will open stores in Barre and Kitchener, Ontario.

DALLAS — While Zale Corp. posted a nearly 10% comps increase for its fourth quarter, higher commodity costs lead to a wider net loss for the period. The company stands to gain even more in the way of sales, with additional financing options for its customers.

Encino, Calif. -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has promoted Brian S. Munn to the position of VP investments in the company’s Atlanta office.  Most recently, Munn held the position of senior associate.

The company also announced that it has promoted Kyle B. Matthews to the position of VP investments in its Encino, Calif., office. Most recently, Matthews held the position of associate VP investments.
 
 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Books-A-Million announced that it has promoted Terrance Finley, formerly EVP/chief merchandising officer to president and COO of the company, effective immediately. Finley has served in his previous role since August 2009 and in various other capacities in the merchandising department since joining the company in 1992. Finley was appointed to the board of directors of Hibbett Sports Inc. in March 2008.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Conference Board said that confidence among U.S. consumers sunk to a two-year low in August, as Americans faced continued unemployment woes and worsening business and economic conditions.

The Conference Board’s index plunged to 44.5, the weakest since April 2009 and the biggest point drop since October 2008. Economists predicted the August gauge would fall to 52, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Monday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 48% amid tough competition. The chain attributed the drop to the quarter being a week shorter this year than it was last year.

Winn-Dixie's net income for the quarter that ended June 29 was $7.3 million versus $14 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue fell 4% to $1.62 billion from $1.68 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 3.2%. Although average amount customers spent per visit rose 3.9%, 0.7% fewer shoppers came in, the company said.