Strategy

Hamilton, Bermuda -- Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, helped by sales gains at its biggest division, Kay Jewelers. The company, which raised its quarterly dividend by 25%, said it anticipates opening 65 to 75 new U.S. stores for the year. 


Signet, which also operates the Jared chain in the United States and the Ernest Jones stores in Britain, said revenue increased 11.8% to $1.51 billion for the quarter ended Feb. 2.

ATLANTA — Safeway has agreed to install SoloHealth Station kiosks across almost 700 stores as part of a multiyear agreement, SoloHealth announced earlier this week. 

“Safeway shares our commitment of empowering consumers to take charge of their health,” stated Stephen Kendig, chief commercial officer and EVP SoloHealth. “We believe that access, awareness and education are keys to a healthy lifestyle, and we’re bringing comprehensive health and wellness services directly to Safeway’s customers.”

Plano, Texas -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that embattled J.C. Penney Co. has recently revived its previously abandoned pricing strategy of raising prices on its own brands then discounting them as a way to spike sales and margins.

Citing an emailed statement by Penney spokeswoman Daphne Avila, Reuters reported that the retailer began changing price tags on merchandise earlier in March and expects to complete the process in April.

NEW YORK — The New York Times Editorial Board in an editorial published Tuesday, signaled Congress may be ready to take up the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, a bill allowing states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes.

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) today announced the appointment of Kerri Wickersheim as vice president of Marketing & Communications effective April 1. Wickersheim will oversee efforts focused on increasing awareness to the Association’s member base of activities and efforts designed to ensure success and growth within various creative vertical markets.

Houston — Sprouts Farmers Market, an independent natural foods grocery store chain, opened its first Houston-area store today.

The 25,300-sq.-ft. store opened at the southwest corner of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Peek Road in Katy, Texas. The store will sell farm-fresh produce and thousands of natural, organic and mainstream food items at an affordable price point.

New York -- Five Below reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 2 rose to $19.2 million, compared with $12.4 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue surged 38% to $173.6 million from $125.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales rose 4.4%.

For the full year, profit rose to $20 million from $16.1 million and revenue increased 41% to $418.8 million. The company said it expects to open 60 stores this year, including new markets in Texas, as well as adding units in existing markets.

New York -- Five Below reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 2 rose to $19.2 million, compared with $12.4 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue surged 38% to $173.6 million from $125.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales rose 4.4%.

For the full year, profit rose to $20 million from $16.1 million and revenue increased 41% to $418.8 million. The company said it expects to open 60 stores this year, including new markets in Texas, as well as adding units in existing markets.
 

Burlington, Mass. -- Enterprise cloud commerce solution-provider Demandware announced Wednesday that Jo-Ann Stores has selected the Demandware Commerce platform to support its digital commerce strategy.  

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. revealed in a Tuesday SEC filing that it will most likely incur a loss from bribery probes into its operations in Mexico and other countries.

According to the filing, Wal-Mart said it expects to incur costs beyond the $157 million it spent on the probes in 2013, but didn’t elaborate on the amount or the size of the potential loss.