Strategy

NEW YORK — The Toy Fair has added a new feature to its 110th annual trade show called, “Content Connection.” The new addition to the show is designed to serve the needs of growing number of licensors, brand owners and entertainment executives that annually flock to the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere.

New York -- Blaming superstorm Sandy for its disappointing November results, Macy’s reported a 0.7% dip in same-store sales and missed Wall Street’s expected 1.5% rise. The results were echoed by much of the category.

"Despite the largest-volume Thanksgiving weekend in our company's history, we were not able to overcome the weak start to the month, which included the disruption of Hurricane Sandy," said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s. Total sales for the month slipped 0.6% to $2.45 billion.

SALT LAKE CITY — Black Diamond, a provider of outdoor recreation equipment and active lifestyle products, beefed up its senior leadership team with four new hires. The newly created positions are intended to bolster the company’s operational and sales teams, domestically and internationally.

"These four exceptional new hires mark the culmination of our two-year process to invest in the people necessary to support our global platform," said Peter Metcalf, president and CEO of Black Diamond.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Nov. 3 rose to $316.5 million, compared with $195.9 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales rose 6% to $21.81 billion, beating Wall Street’s expected revenue of $21.55 billion.

Same-store sales rose 3.2%.

Kroger extended its same store sales winning streak to 36 consecutive quarters and reported better than expected profits Thursday.

The grocer reported a third quarter adjusted profit of 46 cents a share that exceeded analysts’ consensus estimate by three cents and said its identical store sales grew by 3.2%. Total sales, including fuel, increased 5.9% to $21.8 billion

New York -- J. Crew Group reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose to $33.2 million, from $21.6 million in the prior year.

Revenues increased 16% to $555.8 million, and same-store sales increased 10%.

Women’s specialty retailer Coldwater Creek said co-founder, chairman and CEO Dennis Pence will relinquish his role of CEO at year end.

Replacing Pence and joining the board of directors of the Sandpoint, Idaho-based chain will be Jill Brown Dean, the company’s current president and chief merchandising officer. Assuming Dean’s role will be Michele Donnan Martin who joins the company as SVP/GMM responsible for all merchandising functions.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Peterson Companies announced that construction has commenced on Tanger Outlets National Harbor, located in the National Harbor, the Washington, D.C., area's premier waterfront resort destination.

Developed by Peterson Companies, National Harbor comprises 350 acres of prime real estate along the scenic Potomac River in Prince George's County, Md. Tanger Outlets National Harbor will feature approximately 80 leading brand name and designer outlet stores.