Strategy

Visa and IBM have a vision — that any device connected to the Internet of Things can securely process payments. And this means “any device.”  

It’s a record that most retailers are envious of, particularly in today’s competitive and disrupted marketplace.    TJX Cos. on Wednesday posted its 21st consecutive year of same-store sales increases, as well as better-than-expected income and revenue results for its fourth quarter. The off-price retailer also raised its quarterly dividend and announced a share repurchase program.  

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, comments on Macy’s fourth quarter results:   

Amazon has again raised the stakes in the home shipping war.   Almost a year after raising its free shipping minimum for non-Prime customers from $35 to $50, Amazon subtly announced on its website that it is once again honoring free shipping on orders of $35.  

Toys “R” Us is the latest company to downsize its workforce.   The toy retailer laid off between 10% and 15% of the employees at its Wayne, New Jersey headquarters — approximately 250 jobs — on Friday, Feb. 17, Forbes said.   

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding its breadth.   The chain is preparing to open five stores during the second week of March, a move totaling approximately 180,000 sq. ft. of retail space.    Specifically, a new Dick’s Sporting Goods will open in the Glendale area of Queens, New York, in one of the former Sports Authority locations that the company took over late last year. Another Dick’s store will open in Hinesville, Georgia.   

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is about to get a new owner.    Restaurant Brands International Inc., owner of Burger King and Tim Hortons, announced it would acquire Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for $1.8 billion in cash.  

Restaurants are the current darlings of the shopping center developers. It was reported last year that Americans spent more money at bars and restaurants (a total of nearly $55 billion) than they did on groceries. In case you were wondering how big a deal that is, consider this: It was the first time in recorded history that that was the case. But that’s not the only reason that shopping center owners are mad for restaurants. They are also hubs of social activity that contribute to that all-important and often elusive experiential energy.  

The Home Depot is closing in on the $100 billion mark in annual sales. 

The Atlanta-based retailer posted a 6.4% increase in same-store sales in the United States, and 5.8% overall, for the quarter ended Jan. 29. 

CEO Craig Menear credited merchandising mix and digital prowess for the chain’s better-than-expected fourth quarter performance, which saw sales increase to $22.2 billion in the fourth quarter, up 5.8% from 21.0 billion in the same quarter last year.

The Tori Richard brand is a staple in Hawaii, but it’s taking steps to expand sales across the continental United States.   A company founded as a women's wear brand 60 years ago in Honolulu, has since become an internationally recognized men's and women's resort wear brand available in its 17 stores and approximately 2,500 wholesale accounts, including in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. This breadth contributes to sales that span across the main-land U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.