Strategy

Whatever your political views may be, it’s hard not to think about the impact of the recent presidential election on the consumer psyche, and ultimately our industry. Whether President Obama or Mitt Romney would have been better for the economy in the long run is an issue I’ll gladly leave to the political experts and historians. But I do think that, in the near term, we are less likely to see the big holiday spending numbers that some analysts were predicting.

New York -- The National Labor Relations Board Federal was not expected to decide before Thursday on whether to seek an injunction on behalf of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stop a union-backed group from encouraging employee walk-outs that are expected to culminate Friday and include protests and rallies outside its stores.

Los Angeles -- Urban Partners and Harbor Urban announced that David Walker has joined the company as VP capital markets.

Walker will be responsible for actively procuring debt and equity capital for both entities. The firm is currently focused on urban infill assets in West Coast markets and, together with AREA Property Partners, recently acquired Seattle-based Harbor Properties and merged it with Urban Partner’s local office to form Harbor Urban.

Chicago -- GoldMax USA said it has opened a store in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., marking the chain’s 50th store in the state. It operates more than 200 stores nationwide.

GoldMax said it has plans to open eight more California stores within the next 30 to 60 days in City of Industry, El Cajon, Los Angeles, Murrieta, Norco, Orange, Rancho Cucamonga, San Juan Capistrano, and Upland.
 

Strong sales of the top 15 brands at H.J. Heinz enabled the company to produce its 30th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth, the company announced Tuesday.

The company's top 15 brands collectively produced organic sales growth of 4.6%, led by Heinz, Quero, ABC, Classico, Golden Circle, Master and Ore-Ida brands. Global Ketchup delivered organic sales growth of 5% thanks to a strong performance in U.S., Brazil and Russia.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's on Tuesday said third-quarter net income dropped 27% amid rising costs and declining same-store sales, as sales in its established stores dropped and its costs rose.

The company reported Tuesday that it earned $6.6 million in the three months through Oct. 27, compared with $9 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 1% to $450.6 million. Same-store sales were down 2.5%.

General expenses rose 4% to $118.1 million, fueled in party by higher labor costs and new store opening costs.  

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 surged 57.4% to $41.7 million, compared with $26.5 million in last year's third quarter.

Sales increased 18.2% to $636.7 million, and same-store sales grew 9.9%.

By banner, Chico's/Soma Intimates same-store sales increased 11.6%, and White House|Black Market rose 6.4%.

WATERBURY, Vt. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has named former P&G and Coca-Cola executive Brian Kelley as its new president and CEO, effective Dec. 3.