Strategy

Michaels says its new marketing and merchandising strategies are resonating with customers, as the arts and crafts retailer reported an uptick in same-store sales for the third quarter.

The retailer said comps increased 3.1% in the period ended Oct. 31. Sales rose 3.4% to $1.17 billion. The company posted a profit of $76.8 million, or 37 cents per share, compared with $64.1 million, or 31 cents per share a year prior.

Dallas -- Trademark Property Co. begins construction on the unfinished parking garage at Victory Park in Dallas.

The construction is part of phase I redevelopment efforts and will add an additional 22,030 sq. ft. of street-level retail and restaurant space to Victory Park, as well as, a 2,600-sq.-ft. second-floor covered patio connected to a signature restaurant at the northeast corner of the garage, making two sided retail on Victory Park Lane a reality with in downtown Dallas. Completion is slated for summer 2016.

Ulta Beauty's formula of one-stop shopping for prestige, mass and salon beauty products continued to produce impressive sales growth in the third quarter.

The nation’s largest supermarket operator reported profit that surpassed Wall Street expectations and raised its annual forecast.

Kroger Co.’s third-quarter earnings rose 18% to $428 million.

Revenue inched up 0.4% to $25.08 billion for the quarter, ended Nov. 7. missing Street forecasts of $25.22 billion. Kroger cited lower fuel prices as impacting sales.

Same-store sales, excluding fuel, rose 5.4%, more than expected. It was the chain’s 48th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth (excluding fuel.)

Express continues to make all the right moves, reporting better than expected results for its third quarter and raising its 2015 outlook.

One well-known technology provider takes the top spot in installed worldwide revenue for both retail software and retail software-as-a-service (SaaS).

According to a new study from IHL Group, “Total Retail Software Market,” Microsoft is ranked number one in both categories. IHL estimates the total worldwide retail software market is currently worth $44 billion and will grow 48% in the next five years. Microsoft’s share of retail software is estimated at $5.98 billion in installed revenue.

American Express Serve announced this week that it and Rite Aid and Dollar General had joined forces to allow American Express Serve account holders to add money to their cards at the retailers’ locations around the country.

Everything old is new again at American Eagle Outfitters, apparently with good reason.

The teen apparel retailer on Wednesday named Jay L. Schottenstein as CEO,  effective immediately.   Schottenstein, who has served as interim chief  since January 2014, will also continue in his role as executive chairman of the board. The news of  his appointment came as the retailer reported a strong increase in its third quarter earnings.  It was the chain’s third consecutive quarter of increased sales and profits.