Strategy

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has secured a 743,000-sq.-ft. lease for a direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio, with E Smith Realty Partners. The new e-commerce facility is expected to be fully operational and begin shipping orders by spring 2015.

Tuesday Morning Corporation’s turnaround efforts paid off in the third quarter ended March 31. The company reported strong comparable store sales performance, increased inventory turnover and improved cash position during the quarter.

The leading closeout retailer that operates 811 stores across the U.S. reported net sales of $182.8 million, an increase of 2.6% compared to $178.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. reported a net loss of $24.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, an improvement from the net loss of $49.3 million recorded in the same quarter a year earlier.

However, net sales were $93.5 million, a decrease of 17.2% from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago.

Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%.

Gap had a good April in terms of sales, and a large part of the reason is the company’s Old Navy banner.

The company reported that April net sales increased 10% to $1.33 billion for the four-week period ended May 3, versus $1.21 billion last year. Gap’s comparable sales for April 2014 were up 9% versus a 7% increase last year.

For the first quarter so far, Gap’s net sales have increased 1% to $3.77 billion versus $3.73 billion last year. The company’s comparable sales so far have decreased 1% versus a 2% increase last year.

Bentonville, Ark. - At an event with President Barack Obama, Walmart announced that it will double the number of on-site solar energy projects at its U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers by 2020. The commitment is part of Walmart’s global initiative to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy by the end of 2020.

Bebe stores cited various factors, among them severe weather conditions that caused 136 store closures, the shuttering of 19 unproductive stores and the timing of Easter in late April, as contributing to its 17.2% net sales decrease in the third quarter from the prior-year quarter.  

Net sales dropped to $93.5 million from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%. The sales decrease, according to the company, was also fueled by one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year.

New York -- The United Kingdom’s Selfridges was named ‘Best Department Store in the World’ for the third consecutive time by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS). The award was given at the group’s Global Department Store Summit, which was held last week. The event is held every other year.

Selfridges was in competition for the award with Macy’s and the German retailer Breuninger.

Freeport, Maine – L.L.Bean Inc. has appointed two new independent directors to its corporate board. The new board members are Matthew Moellering, executive VP and CEO of Express Inc., and Hugh Farrington, former president and CEO of Hannaford Brothers Company.