Marketing

Dollar General grew customer traffic and average ticket for the 30th consecutive quarter even as the company refocuses on efforts to strengthen topline growth.

Burlington Stores Inc. has joined the cadre of profitable off-price retailers in the second quarter with a round of impressive sales results.

The company swung to a net income of $10.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 from a net loss of $6.47 million the same quarter of last year. Decreases in stock option and interest expenses, as well as some impairment charges, helped bring Burlington to profitability.

Net sales rose 10% to $1.14 billion from $1.04 billion, while same-store sales grew 5.6%.

New York -- Technology-related spending by chief marketing officers (CMOs) is on the rise.

According to a study from Foundation Capital, technology spend by CMOs will increase 10 fold in 10 years, growing from $12 billion to $120 billion.
 

New York – In a first, West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma subsidiary, will make its products available outside of the brand’s own stores and website.

The Williams-Sonoma subsidiary said it has entered into a partnership with U.K. department store retailer John Lewis to open an in-store shop in the newly renovated John Lewis flagship on Oxford Street in London. The shop will open on Sept. 3, following the launch of a branded West Elm shop online at Johnlewis.com.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. soared in the second quarter as its profit tripled amid increased sales and profit margins and reduced promotional activity.

The retailer on Wednesday reported better-than-expected sales and profit for the second quarter. It also raised its full year outlook.

Express’ net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.

New Albany, Ohio – Efforts to change its merchandising and branding paid dividends at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported smaller net loss and revenue decline than expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million, from $890.6 million.

Livonia, Mich. -- Pet Supplies Plus is looking to capitalize on the $58 billion pet industry.

The company, the nation’s largest pet retail franchise, announced that, so far this year, it has 19 new locations in the pipeline. Newly signed agreements will bring the neighborhood pet stores to new and underserved markets including Nashville, Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville and Denver.
 

Altoona, Pa. -- Family-owned convenience store chain Sheetz is partnering with First Bankcard to offer its first private label credit card, the Sheetz Personal Credit Card.

First Bankcard is a division of First National Bank of Omaha and a leading issuer of credit cards.

The card is designed to be used exclusively at Sheetz stores and offers customers’ automatic savings at the chain’s fuel pumps, as well the ability to earn points on every qualifying purchase in its stores.

New York -- Walmart plans to stop selling AR-15 assault rifles and other modern sporting rifles, a move the company says is motivated not by politics but by falling consumer demand.

Efforts to change its merchandising and branding are paying off for Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported a smaller profit and revenue loss than expected in the second quarter.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier. Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million from $890.6 million. Total company ame-store sales dropped 4%. Abercrombie same-store sales fell 7% and Hollister same-store sales fell 1%, below Wall Street’s expected rate of decline.