Strategy

Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl’s Corp. is preparing to open a store in southern New Jersey called "Off Aisle by Kohl's," a name that suggests the company may be following the lead of other retailers opening off-price formats.

Framingham, Mass. – The TJX Cos. enjoyed a successful first quarter of fiscal 2016 that included profit results surpassing Wall Street expectations. TJX reported net income of $474.6 million, up 4% from $454.32 million a year earlier.

Growth in expenses and cost of sales did not keep pace with revenue growth, resulting in higher pretax income that fueled the profit increase. Net sales rose 6% to $6.86 billion from $6.49 billion. Total same-store sales growth of 5%, driven by increased customer traffic, helped boost revenue.

The Limited is finally following the lead of a slew of other retailers that have rolled out buy online, pick up in store services for customers.

Columbus, Ohio - The Limited is launching a new program called Reserve Online, Ready In-Store, that allows customers to shop TheLimited.com and place items on hold for purchase and pick-up at their local store. Reserve Online, Ready In-Store is available at The Limited's nearly 225 full-line retail store locations across the U.S.

This full-scale launch follows a successful pilot in select stores in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio, markets.  

Armonk, N.Y. – IBM Inc. is making new investments in Sellpoints and WayBlazer to advance online shopping and travel apps powered by Watson. The investments are part of IBM's $100 million commitment to drive new innovations and business solutions that build on Watson.

As other major retailers report sluggish sales, home improvement stores such as Home Depot Inc. are benefitting from rebounds in the housing market and the weather.

Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. continues its global expansion with new license agreements in South Korea with SK Networks Co. Ltd.; in Singapore with Trendz 360 Pte. Ltd.; and in Greece with Notos Com Holdings S.A. Stores will begin opening in mid-2015, and American Eagle currently expects to open approximately 40 licensed stores in fiscal 2015

The CEO of Urban Outfitters sounded a positive note about the company's omnichannel strategy despite reporting mixed financial results in the first quarter.