Strategy

Minneapolis — Christopher & Banks Corp. more than quadrupled its net income to $2.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $0.6 million in the same quarter the prior year. The women’s apparel chain also plans to open six new outlet stores and three new stores in its MPW (Missy, Petite, Women) format during the fiscal year.

Mindshare Technologies acquired Empathica last year, rebranded the company as InMoment and launched a new customer experience optimization platform called the Experience Hub.

Minneapolis — Target Corp. has named Brad Maiorino as senior VP, chief information security officer, a new position added as the chain overhauls its security department in the wake of its data breach.  Maiorino comes to Target from General Motors,  where he was the company’s chief information security and information technology risk officer.  Prior to that, he was the chief information security officer at General Electric.

Automotive service is one thing Amazon.com can’t offer online, but Pep Boys has figured out how to digitally enable its business to drive solid growth.

Deerfield, Ill. — Market6, a provider of Web-based retail analytic applications, is introducing Market6 Vantage, a suite of retail analytic applications that automate and simplify joint business planning and retailer/supplier collaboration. Vantage is designed to enable retailers and their suppliers to streamline their collaboration efforts to build and execute more effective and profitable shopper-centric merchandising plans.

Houston — Francesca’s Holdings Corp. on Tuesday reported a 21% drop in profit during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, to $8.6 million from $10.9 million.  Harsh winter weather and higher expenses related to its boutique business contributed to the decline in net income. The company also reduced its annual outlook.

Francesca’s plans to open 85 new stores during fiscal 2014, including 16 in the second quarter.

Fort Myers, Fla. — Chico’s FAS Inc. is reportedly considering taking itself private. According to Financial Times, the women’s apparel retailer has been holding talks with several private equity firms in recent weeks.

Salt Lake City — Mindshare Technologies, which acquired Empathica in September 2013, announced that the two companies have united under a new corporate entity known as InMoment. InMoment provides a cloud-based customer experience optimization platform, the Experience Hub.