Strategy

Atlanta --  The Shopping Center Group announced its continued expansion with the addition of a California brokerage team of industry veterans. The move across the Mississippi River marks the firm’s first foray into western United States. Located in Santa Barbara, the new office opened Dec. 1.

“The acquisition of this team is a big step in The Shopping Center Group’s pursuit of a national footprint," said chairman and Co-CEO David Birnbrey.

New York -- Teen retailers had a “less dreadful” holiday selling season than was anticipated. That’s how analysts are tempering the news that banners such as American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale and Urban Outfitters posted stronger-than-expected holiday results, released by most on Thursday.

In fact, say industry watchers, the strong sales figures look pretty shiny because they are exaggerated by pre-season low expectations, which were dragged down by fears of aggressive discounting and waning mall traffic.

Atlanta - Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 at Havertys Furniture Companies Inc. increased 9% to $213 million, compared with $196.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Same-store sales increased 8.3%. 

The 2014 holiday season was a perky one at L Brands, as sales increased beyond expectations in December.

The parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works reported that same store sales across the company increased by 4% for the month. Wall Street analysts had been predicting a 3.6% increase.

Hamilton, Bermuda – Signet Jewelers Ltd. had a sparkly holiday season. The retailer’s eight-week fiscal 2015 holiday season sales grew 3.6%.

Signet's omnichannel strategy was successful during the holiday season. E-commerce sales increased 90.9%, and, excluding the Zale division, increased 20%. As a percent of Signet's holiday season's total sales, e-commerce increased 1.6%. Each division delivered higher e-commerce growth and penetration relative to total sales.

Plano, Texas – It will not be a happy New Year for employees of some 40 J.C. Penney stores. The company on Thursday said that it plans to close approximately 40 stores, which represent less than 4% of its total store base, on or about April 4, 2015. The closures will affect about 2,250 employees.

Costco showed again in December why it’s the cream of the crop among warehouse club stores.

The Wash.-based retailer reported an increase of 8% in same store sales in the United States, excluding gasoline sales and foreign exchange. Same-store sales at international stores rose by 1%.

Net sales for the retailer rose 5% to $12.12 billion in December from $11.53 billion a year earlier.

Camp Hill, Pa. - Rite Aid Corp. has promoted Jocelyn Zazyczny Konrad, currently VP, healthcare initiatives, to group VP, pharmacy initiatives and clinical services. Konrad succeeds Karen Staniforth, who was recently promoted to the role of COO at Health Dialog, a subsidiary of Rite Aid.