Strategy

Brentwood, Tenn. – Tractor Supply Company has been added to the Nasdaq -100 Index, effective with the market open on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. Shares of TSCO will also be included in the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (Nasdaq: QQQ).

"We are proud to be joining this elite group of public companies traded on the Nasdaq exchange," said Anthony Crudele, executive VP and CFO. "Being added to the Nasdaq-100 Index is a reflection of Tractor Supply Company's significant growth and its stock performance.”

Indianapolis -- Finish Line reported net earnings of $1.59 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, a return to profitability after reporting a net loss of $809,000 in the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Consolidated net sales were $364.5 million, up about 23% from $296.6 million and ahead of the $353 million projected by Wall Street.

Against the backdrop of the most digital Christmas ever a new study from technology research firm EKN shows that most retailers don’t believe they are spending enough on the Internet, mobile, business intelligence and analytics.
 
EKN, with sponsorship from Cisco, Earthlink and Tata Consultancy Services, surveyed more than 120 retail information technology executives and uncovered some disturbing findings given the direction in which consumers are leading the retail industry.

New York -- PayPal, a division of eBay Inc. has acquired mobile app developer StackMobile. Experts say the purchase could strengthen eBay and subsidiary PayPal in enabling consumers to pay with mobile devices.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

StackMob launched in 2010 and offers a platform and development environment that lets developers build applications for any mobile device

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Cesar L. Alvarez, co-chairman of the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been elected to membership on the Sears Holdings board of directors.

Alvarez joined Greenberg Traurig in 1973. Prior to his appointment as co-chairman, Alvarez served the firm as its executive chairman for more than three years, and as its CEO 13 years. Prior to becoming CEO in 1997, he practiced securities, corporate and international law for more than 25 years.

Walmart China CEO Greg Foran reiterated the company’s goal of accelerating Sam’s Club growth in the coming years with several published reports indicating the pace of Sam’s Club openings may eventually reach 10 units annually.

San Jose, Calif. – Samsung has reportedly hired a high-level store designer from Apple. According to multiple media reports, the U.S., telecom unit of Samsung recently hired Tim Gudgel, a five-year veteran store designer at Apple, as VP and GM of retail sales operations.

Brown Shoe Company-brand Sam Edelman, in partnership with leading apparel manufacturer Kellwood Company, has appointed Leslie Singer as president of Sam Edelman Apparel, a new division within Kellwood.

Singer joins Kellwood from NYDJ, where she lead sales and merchandising for women’s sportswear. Her responsibilities spanned all channels of distribution, including department stores, specialty stores and direct business outlets, such as Zappos and Amazon. Under her leadership, the company saw double-digit growth for more than three years.