Strategy

The Finish Line Inc. says its efforts to improve digital fulfillment rates are paying off, as the sporting goods retailer posted an increase in same-store sales in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Feb. 27, consolidated net sales at the Finish Line were $580.3 million, an increase of 5.2% over the prior year period. Same-store sales increased 4.6%. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which primarily excludes the impact from the write-off of technology assets and store impairment charges, were 83 cents.

Furniture and specialty home goods retailer Conn’s is extending its Conn’s Cares philanthropic program for a second year.

The company is partnering with First Book and Little Free Library — organizations that have been recognized by the Library of Congress for their excellence in the advancement of literacy — to expand the literacy focus of Conn’s Cares.

Signet Jewelers is already the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry and it plans to get even bigger in 2016 by accelerating new store and omnichannel growth. The news came as the chain reported a same-store sales increase of 4.9% in the fourth quarter.

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings announced plans for its most ambitious expansion program ever with 11 new stores planned for 2016 following a strong fourth quarter performance.

The Midvale, Utah-based operator of 64 stores focused on the categories of hunting, fishing and camping, opened nine stores last year which combined with its strong fourth quarter showing enabled the company to produce record results. The addition of 11 stores this year will give the company, which went public in April 2014, 75 locations in 20 predominantly Western states and Alaska.

Starbucks Corp. is extending its payment platform to extend its reward program beyond its own stores.

The coffee giant announced at its annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday that it will launch the Starbucks Rewards Prepaid Card from Chase by the end of this year.

Ross Dress for Less opened a new store in Port Hueneme, California on March 5.

The 23,000-sq.-ft. foot store is located at Mandalay Village Marketplace, 63 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 40 miles south of Santa Barbara, along Channel Islands Boulevard and Wheelhouse Avenue.

With this location, Ross operates 278 stores in California, its largest state. The opening is part of the retailer’s 2016 expansion program that will see it open some 70 new locations during the year.

Fred’s on Wednesday reported its Q4 and FY2015 earnings, as well as the news that board chairman Michael Hayes would be stepping down, to be replaced with longtime director Thomas Tashjian.