Marketing

Regional grocery chain Roundy’s Inc. is heading out of a “transition year,” according to CEO Robert Mariano, with lackluster same store sales growth.

Roundy’s reported a same-store sales decline of 2.3% for the fourth quarter. In 2014 overall, same-store sales dipped 2.9%. For the year, net sales reached $3.86 billion, up from $3.35 billion in 2013. 

Cincinnati – Benefits from its acquisition of the Harris-Teeter grocery chain, which The Kroger Co. acquired in January 2014, helped boost results at Kroger during fourth quarter 2014. It was the supermarket giant’s 45th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth.

Kroger’s net income rose 23% to $518 million, beating Wall Street expectations with a 22% increase from $422 million last year.

Milwaukee – Roundy’s Inc. reported net income of $7.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, more than double $3.5 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. A shift from net after-tax loss to net after-tax income from 27 Rainbow stores that were closed or sold drove net income growth.

Roundy’s plans to open five new stores in fiscal 2015, including one in the first quarter.

Petland has hired a former Walmart executive as vice president of corporate stores as the pet supply retailer looks to expand its national footprint. 

Although Tony Samples last worked at Walmart in 2006, Petland touted his Walmart experience in a news release. "Tony brings extensive retail experience to Petland at a time when Petland is expanding its retail footprint," said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. Samples will lead Petland's retail store division and oversee the company's merchandising and marketing efforts.

Los Angeles - Factory workers of American Apparel established a coalition of workers to advocate for their rights before new corporate management. Hundreds of workers met on Feb. 28 to organize themselves into the "Coalition of American Apparel Factory Workers United to Save American Apparel."

Small business customers are the lifeblood of Sam’s Club and to ensure the continued vitality of the crucial shopper segment the retailer is supporting an entrepreneurial youth organization.

Sam’s donated $250,000 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to grow and support YEA!’s national educational program that works to transform middle and high school students into confident entrepreneurs.

Cincinnati -- Bloomingdale’s will open an outlet store in fall 2015 in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It will be the 14th Bloomingdale’s Outlet store and the first in a major urban center.

With 25,000 sq. ft. on three levels, Bloomingdale’s Outlet on Broadway will offer a range of off-price apparel and accessories, including women's ready-to-wear, men's, children's, women's shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags and intimate apparel.

Walmart Vice President of U.S. Manufacturing Cindi Marsiglio is scheduled to provide an update on the retailer’s $250 billion domestic sourcing commitment at an event later this month.

Marsiglio is scheduled to speak at 7 a.m., March 19, at an event sponsored by Doing Business in Bentonville at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark. The organization, known as DBB locally, regularly holds events at which top Walmart executives share updates and insights on key initiatives and working effectively with the company.