Strategy

As Amazon.com deals with the fallout from a New York Times article over working conditions, another media outlet reports the retailer is scaling back its consumer device division and laying off dozens of employees in its hardware development center.

The division, called Lab126, last year released a flurry of 10 devices, including a television set-top box, the Echo and a wand for scanning bar codes at home, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General posted better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter, but came up short on sales, even amid strong demand for tobacco products and other consumables.

The discounter reiterated plans to open approximately 730 stores in 2015, and relocate or remodel 875 units. To date, the company is on track with its pipeline development to accelerate new store openings to 7% square footage growth in 2016.

Canton, Mass. — Specialty men’s retailer Destination XL Inc. reported Thursday that it shrank its net loss in the second quarter.

The company also raised its potential store count from 250 to 400. As a result, the retailer expects to open 30 to 40 DXL stores per year through fiscal 2020.

During fiscal 2015, Destination XL plans to open approximately 30 DXL retail and eight DXL outlet stores and close approximately 41 Casual Male XL and three Rochester clothing stores.

The Bon-Ton Stores is opening a new fulfillment center as the retailer looks to cut back on the amount of time it takes to deliver an online order.

The company announced the grand opening of its 743,000 square-foot state-of-the-art direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio. The facility, which began transitioning fulfillment operations in June, was designed with the customer in mind and supports the company’s expanding e-commerce business and aggressive omnichannel growth, the company says.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. soared in the second quarter as its profit tripled amid increased sales and profit margins and reduced promotional activity.

The retailer on Wednesday reported better-than-expected sales and profit for the second quarter. It also raised its full year outlook.

Express’ net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. has released an estimate of costs related to its 2013 data breach.

In a 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Target estimated it had incurred $168 million in liabilities and was eligible for $55 million in insurance reimbursements (as of August 1, 2015).

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is taking a smart approach to energy expense management.

The retailer expanded its use of EnerNOC's energy intelligence software to manage its utility bills at more than 8,300 sites across the U.S.