Strategy

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.

Rockville, Md. -- Federal Realty Investment Trust announced the addition of Ramsey D. Meiser to the newly created position of senior VP of mixed-use development reporting to executive VP of development Donald Briggs.

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.

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

Ulta' s net income increased 20.2% in the quarter, to a better-than-expected $71.1 million, from $59.1 million in the year-ago period. Total sales rose 22% to $910.7 million, also more than expected. Online sales surged 56.3% to $46.2 million. Same-store sales were up 12.8%, driven by a 10.6% increase in transactions and 2.2% growth in the average ticket.

Dan Berthiaume, senior editor of Chain Store Age, recently participated in a one-hour panel discussion, “Game-Changers 2016 Predictions – Part 1,” sponsored by SAP as part of its “Coffee Break with Game-Changers” Internet radio series.

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th continues to expand north of the border.

The off-price retailer and Ivanhoé Cambridge announced an agreement to bring four new Saks Off 5th locations to Canada. The stores, the brand’s first in their respective markets, will open in four Ivanhoé Cambridge shopping centers: Tsawwassen Mills, Tsawwassen, B.C., Outlet Collection Winnipeg; Place Ste-Foy, Quebec City; and Montreal Eaton Centre, Montreal.

Here are the details on the four locations: